The relationship between sex role stereotypes and perceived management
characteristics among male and female students was examined and compared to
results recorded over the past four decades. As the number of women in
employment and managerial positions increases, a change in perceptions of women
as managers is expected. To test this belief, a thorough review of the
literature since 1973 was conducted and the characteristics perceived as
necessary for managerial success were examined among 383 male business students
and 414 female business students in the Republic of Ireland. The results
confirmed that managers are still perceived by male students to possess the
characteristics, attitudes and temperaments more commonly ascribed to men than
women.