Attitudes toward women as managers in library and information science

This study reviewed the current literature for attitudes toward women as managers, level of managerial attainment by women, and the promotion/evaluation process in the field of library and information science (LIS). Eighty percent of the LIS work force consists of women, but 80% of management positions are held by men in the LIS profession. One reason could be the sex stereotypical view of women by evaluators. Another reason could be the attribution of women's successful performance to luck rather than to effort and ability. Thus women are not given an equal chance for promotion. A survey questionnaire was administered to the LIS students currently enrolled in master's degree programs (MSLS/MLS) in the 11 southeastern United States LIS schools. Data were collected on the Women As Managers Scale designed by Terborg and others. Personal data were also gathered on sex, age, marital status, parental influence, etc., to assess the attitudes of students toward women as managers. This study showed that a vast majority of both male and female students felt women are capable of being good managers. They felt women are emotionally stable, responsible, adventurous, objective, aggressive, and as capable of handling managerial situations as men.