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Women bank managers in British Columbia

University of British Columbia

This study investigated the personal history, psychological dimensions, and career experiences of Canadian female bank managers. As part of a larger research project on bank managers conducted by Dr. L.F. Moore and Dr. B. Beck of the University of British Columbia, this thesis focussed primarily on the sex-based differences between male and female branch bank managers. Personal interview and mail-back questionnaire data were obtained from 68 male and 41 female branch managers located in the Lower Mainland of B.C. The five largest Canadian chartered banks and one western regional bank participated in the study. Analysis of the demographic characteristics of female bank managers revealed that they came from predominantly rural, blue-collar families. A substantial proportion of female managers were not married (unlike male bank managers) and tended to have few, if any, children. Female bank managers had less formal education than male managers in terms of academic achievement and attendance on bank training courses. Concerning motivational needs, female managers closely resembled male managers, exhibiting a high need for achievement, high need for power, and low need for affiliation. The female managers' managerial style conception differed significantly from that of their male colleagues. In their attributions of leadership behaviour for a "typical" bank manager, female managers often chose a consultative, communications approach. Male managers, however, more often selected a directive style consistent with traditional leadership style conception. Female managers held a higher interpersonal orientation than male managers. They, also stressed social and interpersonal values more than male managers. In terms of career experience variables, female and male managers have equivalent total years of experience in banking, however, female managers have significantly fewer years in managerial level positions. They are also working in the smaller retail-type bank branches unlike male managers who are in larger retail and commercial branches. Although the majority have experienced sex-based discrimination in their careers, female managers are generally optimistic about the future of women in banking management.

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2010-04-14

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/23548

Business Administration

University of British Columbia

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