Managerial Momentum: A Simultaneous Model of the Career Progress of Male and Female Managers

Abstract

Using a firm-level data base to estimate a simultaneous model of the interaction of performance, ambition, and rewards in the internal promotion process, the authors analyze differences between men and women in "managerial momentum"-sustained career progress within the firm. They find that in the Canadian firm studied, the tendency of women to rely more than men on formal bidding for promotion to secure offers of promotion deprives them of managerial momentum. Underlying the greater success of men in gaining promotion is their greater use of informal networks, a less meritocratic means than bidding of bringing one's desire for promotion to the attention of superiors, and indeed one that appears to enable men to offset performance evaluations that are on the average lower than those of women.

An Analysis of Quality of Work Life (QWL) and Career- Related Variables

“…It was found that ambition or the desire to get ahead was one of the best predictors of advancement in their study of American Telegraphic & Transfer (AT & T) managers. A positive relationship between ambition and career achievement has been found in several other studies of managers and executives [25,26] . Drawing from the above, it is predicted that:…”

“…Research also suggests that job tenure and total time in one's occupation are positively related to career success/achievement besides the number of hours worked per week and salary and ascendancy [25] . A positive relationship between ambition and career success has been found in several studies of managers and executives [26,27] . Herriot [27] recognizes that sometimes there is a conflict between personal life and work and differences in perceptions of "success" in life.…”

An Empirical Investigation of the Predictors of Executive Career Success

“…Howard and Bray (1988) found that ambition, or the desire to get ahead, was one of the best predictors of advancement in their study of AT&T managers. A positive relationship between ambition and career success has been found in several other studies of managers and executives (Cannings & Montmarquette, 1991;Cox & Cooper, 1989). Thus, we expect that the greater the number of levels executives desire to advance, the greater will be their objective success.…”

Quality Of Work Life: Implications Of Career Dimensions

“…Research also suggests that job tenure and total time in one's occupation are positively related to career success/achievement besides the number of hours worked per week and salary and ascendancy [32] . A positive relationship between ambition and career success has been found in several studies of managers and executives [32,33] . In respect to career balance, Herriot [34] recognizes that sometimes there is a conflict between personal life and work and differences in perceptions of success in life.…”