Social relations among managers: old boys and young women's networks

Abstract

Purpose

This study seeks to investigate whether there are gender differences in the importance placed on two types of network support among managers in organisations. Prior research indicates that it can be expected that female managers will not have their social contact needs satisfied to the same extent as their male colleagues and that female managers do not regard their nearest colleagues as friends to the same extent as male managers.

Design/methodology/approach

Large scale survey of managers in Denmark.

Findings

The first hypothesis is neither supported nor rejected, since the gender differences are strongly influenced by age, when controlling for sector, marital status, and children living at home. While male managers tend to see their colleagues more as friends, the older they are, the reverse is true of female managers. The second hypothesis is clearly rejected, since no gender differences are found.

Originality/value

The paper identifies the crucial role of age in the gender differences in perception of social support, offering a new interpretation of female managers' use of workplace networks.

Citation

Waldstrøm, C. and Madsen, H. (2007), "Social relations among managers: old boys and young women's networks", Women in Management Review, Vol. 22 No. 2, pp. 136-147. https://doi.org/10.1108/09649420710732097