Abstract
Statement of the problem. The rise in the proportion of women workers is one of three important demographic issues facing public sector managers. In assessing the significance of this trend in the development and implementation of personnel policies and practices, there is acknowledgment that the structural disparity between the life circumstances of men and women is likely to influence policy decision making. Women continue to have the lion's share of household and family responsibilities in addition to their jobs. As women rise within the public sector bureaucracy to policymaking positions, they are likely to promote more family-oriented policies. Purpose. The purpose of the study was: (1) to describe the current profile of executive women public administrators in California; (2) to determine barriers that continue to exist for executive women in the field of public administration, according to the perceptions of executive women public administrators in California; (3) to identify leadership behaviors that have contributed to the success of executive women public administrators, according to the perceptions of women public administrators enrolled in the University of La Verne's Public Administration program; (4) lastly, to determine personal and professional relationships and experiences that have supported or hindered leadership development of executive women public administrators. Methodology. The study was qualitative. The survey questionnaire was used for the purpose of determining executive women public administrators' perceptions of experiences that contributed to their success as leaders in public sector organizations. Descriptive data analysis was used based upon questionnaire responses and analyzed using SPSS. Findings. The researcher identified two factors that were incongruent with the literature review: (1) respondents strongly disagreed that family responsibility hindered leadership development and; (2) factors in the field of public administration contributing to leadership were perceived as inherent personal characteristics and not factors specific to the field of public administration. Conclusions and recommendations. Women's view of themselves is measured in context with their role not only as professional women but also as mother and wife. A recommendation for further study includes conducting a longitudinal study involving women in the public sector from early career through retirement to determine what patterns emerge.