Research: Negative Experiences Shape Womens Decisions to Go for Executive Roles Written by Raina A. Brands and Isabel Fernandez-Mateo Thursday 16 March 2017 Share Share to LinkedIn Share to Facebook Share via email This paper shows differences in responses to recruitment rejections resulting in women’s low representation in management Like This paper proposes gender differences in responses to recruitment rejections as a previously unexamined mechanism contributing to women’s under-representation in top management. We show that women are less likely than men to consider another job with a prospective employer that has rejected them in the past. We build a theoretical model whereby, because of women’s minority status in senior roles, recruitment rejection triggers uncertainty about their general belonging in the executive domain. Belonging uncertainty, in turn, both leads women to place greater weight than men on fair treatment and negatively affects their perceptions of the fairness of the treatment they receive. This dual process makes women more disinclined than men to apply again to a previously rejecting firm. We test our theory with three studies: A field study using longitudinal archival data from an executive search firm, a survey of executives, and an experiment using executive respondents. The results, which are consistent with our model, have implications for theory and practice regarding gender inequality at the labor market’s upper echelons. In particular, we highlight that women’s supply-side decisions to “lean out” of competition for senior roles must be understood in light of their previous experiences with demand-side employers’ practices. Read the full story: Like this article? Why not share it. Share to LinkedIn Share to Facebook Share via email Topic: “You need the right mix of challenge and empathy” Isaac Kalungi CMgr MCMI was the first Chartered Manager in Uganda Read article Article Topic: Highlights – 10 September Difficult choices and hard conversations – plus the positive impact of CMI’s leadership courses around the world Read article Article Topic: Personal Development How studying for a CMI Level 3 Diploma helped Amy Matthews lead with confidence Operations team manager Amy Matthews shares how a Level 3 qualification gave her new leadership perspectives Read article Article Topic: Workplace Culture The human edge: why soft skills matter more than ever As technology transforms work, technical know-how is only half the story Read article Article Research Our cutting-edge research and statistics explain the latest trends and challenges faced by managers in the workplace today. Members See More CMI Members have access to thousands of online learning and CPD resources. Learn more about our membership benefits Join The Community CMI offers a variety of flexible membership solutions, tailored to your needs. Find out more and get involved in the CMI community today.