The Influence of Gender and Occupational-Role on Entrepreneurs’ and Corporate Managers’ Success Criteria

This study explores the construct of success by drawing on a sample of 326 entrepreneurs and 545 corporate managers. Respondents considered success criteria associated with employment and business ownership to be, on average, more important than personal and family dimensions of success. After controlling for occupation-role and human capital (e.g., age, education, years of work experience), the importance of success criteria differed by gender for some, but not all success criteria: male and female managers and entrepreneurs did not differ with respect to the importance ascribed to work-life balance. Among female respondents, an increase in the importance ascribed to “professional autonomy” was associated with decreased likelihood of being employed in a management role in corporate Canada. Among male respondents, an increase in importance ascribed to financial criteria was reflected in an increase likelihood of being employed in a management role in corporate Canada. This research illustrates the importance of controlling for occupation, gender, and human capital when examining work and family values.

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