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Paths to Success in Senior Management

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Gender, Power and Management

Abstract

This chapter will investigate the career trajectories of women and men who have risen to lead and manage universities in Europe, Africa and Oceania. It will address questions such as: What was their career path? Did they plan to become university leaders when they started their careers? Who helped them succeed? What are the benefits and challenges of senior university management? The chapter includes data from the eight participating countries in the WHEM research project, focussing on how one becomes a senior manager and exploring typical career paths into senior management. As a starting point, career stages are discussed, because the participants in this study represent a particular cohort of individuals whose careers are located within classic career stage theory. Then the career paths of participants are described with a view to establishing if a ‘typical career path’ existed. This is followed by an examination of the factors or people that were most supportive in achieving seniority in the sector and how being in senior management affected work/life experience. Finally, the competencies considered essential for individuals aspiring to senior management roles are discussed.

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Authors
  1. Sarah Riordan
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Social Sciences, Loughborough University, UK

    Barbara Bagilhole (Professor of Equal Opportunities and Social Policy) (Professor of Equal Opportunities and Social Policy)

  2. Centre for Women’s Studies and Gender Research, Monash University, Australia

    Kate White (Adjunct Research Associate) (Adjunct Research Associate)

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© 2011 Sarah Riordan

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Riordan, S. (2011). Paths to Success in Senior Management. In: Bagilhole, B., White, K. (eds) Gender, Power and Management. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230305953_6

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