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FLEXIBILITY AND FAIRNESS: EFFECTS OF THE NETWORK FORM OF ORGANIZATION ON GENDER EQUITY IN LIFE SCIENCE CAREERS.
- Source :
-
Sociological Perspectives . Spring2004, Vol. 47 Issue 1, p25-54. 30p. - Publication Year :
- 2004
-
Abstract
- Why do women have more opportunities in some employment settings? I investigate how organizational form affects gender stratification among life scientists. I propose that firms governed by networks, rather than bureaucracies, allow for greater equity. Hierarchy and rules hide gender bias, while reliance on ties outside the organization provides transparency and flexibility. I analyze the careers of 2,062 U.S. life scientists and interviews with 41 scientists. I examine employment data by gender for two patterns: early entrance into the biotechnology industry and promotion within network and hierarchical organizations. Gender does not affect when a scientist enters the biotech industry but is related to promotion. Men are more likely to attain early supervisory-level positions across organizational settings. Female scientists are nearly eight times more likely to supervise in biotech firms than in more hierarchical settings. The two organizational forms - network and hierarchy --provide different employment experiences for female scientists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 07311214
- Volume :
- 47
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Sociological Perspectives
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 13140015
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1525/sop.2004.47.1.25