Abstract
Purpose. The purposes of this study were to determine (1) the attitudes of Hispanic and Anglo women in management positions in industry regarding women in management positions, (2) to compare changes that may have occurred in the attitudes of women about women in management positions in education surveyed in 1982 to women surveyed in 1992, and (3) to compare the attitudes of Hispanic and Anglo women in management positions in industry and in education about women in management positions. Methodology. The researcher used descriptive research. The sample consisted of 400 who held management positions in business and in education in Los Angeles City, Orange County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County in southern California. The instrument used was the Women as Managers Scale (WAMS). Ten items were added to the original 21-item questionnaire by the researcher to determine attitudes on contemporary issues. Findings. Hispanic and Anglo women indicated favorable attitudes toward women as managers. Ethnicity did not significantly affect the attitudes of Hispanic and Anglo women toward women as managers. Anglo women managers in industry and education did have significant differences in attitudes toward women as managers. Women in education were more positive in their attitudes toward women managers than women in industry. Mentoring and length of time positions were held had a positive effect on the attitudes of Hispanic and Anglo women managers. There were minimal differences in the attitudes of women in 1982 than in 1992. More Anglo women in education were more favorable in their attitudes toward women as managers in 1992 than in 1982. Conclusions and recommendations. Women managers in industry and education hold favorable attitudes toward women as managers. Ethnicity does not seem to alter these attitudes as much as whether women are employed in education or business. Women managers in education appear to possess more self-confidence and positive attitudes about women in management than women in industry. Among the recommendations are the following: women managers in industry and education need to become more actively involved in mentoring other women who are culturally different; women managers in industry need to view other women as a source of support, not a source of competition; employers need to recognize the leadership potential of women; and, Hispanic women need to become more familiar with the process of career planning and goal planning.