Utah State University DigitalCommons@USU All Graduate Theses and Dissertations Graduate Studies 5-2019 The Rise and Run of Women Corporate Leaders Alicia R. Ingersoll Utah State University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd Part of the Sociology Commons Recommended Citation Ingersoll, Alicia R., "The Rise and Run of Women Corporate Leaders" (2019). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 7484. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/7484 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Studies at DigitalCommons@USU. It has been accepted for inclusion in All Graduate Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@USU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. THE RISE AND RUN OF WOMEN CORPORATE LEADERS by Alicia R. Ingersoll A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in Sociology Approved: Christy Glass, Ph.D. Ronda Callister, Ph.D. Major Professor Committee Member So-jung Lim, Ph.D. Merideth Thompson, Ph.D. Committee Member Committee Member Gabriele Ciciurkaite, Ph.D. Richard S. Inouye, Ph.D. Committee Member Vice Provost for Graduate Studies UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY Logan, Utah 2019 ii Copyright © Alicia R. Ingersoll 2019 All Rights Reserved iii ABSTRACT The Rise and Run of Women Corporate Leaders by Alicia R. Ingersoll, Doctor of Philosophy Utah State University, 2019 Major Professor: Christy Glass, Ph.D. Department: Sociology In light of the renewed emphasis on the need for more women in corporate leadership it is important to understand the characteristics of women who have ascended the corporate ladder thus far. Examining the mechanisms that work to overcome existing barriers is key in helping more women to achieve corporate leadership positions. This study analyzed three sequential and interconnected facets of women corporate leaders: (1) educational attainment and networks; (2) risk taking; and (3) presence and influence. Using an author-constructed data set of all S&P 500 organizations, the study offers a theory-driven expansion of existing research in order to extend our understanding of the conditions under which women attain corporate leadership opportunities. Findings reveal some of the complexity in both the antecedents and consequences of gender diversity within top leadership of large U.S. firms. Taken together, the results convey the organizational and societal contexts that lead to more diverse corporate leadership. (188 pages) iv PUBLIC ABSTRACT The Rise and Run of Women Corporate Leaders Alicia R. Ingersoll The purpose of this research was to understand the contexts that support the barriers to women’s advancement and to identify the conditions under which women leaders overcome the barriers to attain top corporate leadership positions. I have identified and discussed three distinct approaches for understanding how we can increase women’s representation and influence in the executive and director ranks within top U.S. corporations. The first approach investigates the complexities of leveraging the social and cultural capital attained through post-secondary education in order gain entry into the corporate elite. The second approach examines gendered stereotypes of risk-taking versus the organizational risk-taking realities that are inherent in women corporate leaders’ climb to the top. The final approach considers the impact of external pressures in increasing the prevalence, power and influence of women corporate directors. Findings reveal some of the complexity in both the antecedents and consequences of gender diversity within top leadership of large U.S. firms. Taken together, the results convey the organizational and societal contexts that lead to more diverse corporate leadership. v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS First and foremost, I would like to thank Dr. Christy Glass for her continuous help and support. I could not have done this without her sage wisdom, guidance and friendship. I am always in awe of the brilliant scholar, teacher, mentor, and all-around cool person that is Dr. Christy Glass. I hope to live up to the example she sets. Christy, thank you for believing in me and taking me on as your student. I would also like to thank my committee members, Drs. So-jung Lim, Gabriele Ciciurkaite, Ronda Callister, and Merideth Thompson, for their support and assistance throughout the entire process. I give special thanks to my family and friends for their unconditional love and support. Mom and dad, thank you for always pushing me to do hard things. The Cook, von Rosen, and Romney families thank you for believing in me. Cabo and Frankie for keeping things real and forcing me to take breaks, whether I wanted to or not. Special thank you to Ali for her conditional love and support throughout this process. Ali, thank you for not divorcing me during comp. exams. Clint, get used to Dr. Rugrat. Alicia R. Ingersoll vi CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................... iii PUBLIC ABSTRACT ................................................................................................... iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ............................................................................................. v LIST OF TABLES ......................................................................................................... x LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................... xii CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................ 1 Literature Review of Barriers to Advancement ............................................... 4 Research Design ............................................................................................... 13 Contribution and Limitations ........................................................................... 17 References ........................................................................................................ 19 2. CREDENTIALED FOR SUCCESS ................................................................ 29 Literature Review ............................................................................................. 31 Methods and Data ............................................................................................. 41 Results .............................................................................................................. 49 Discussion and Conclusion .............................................................................. 59 References ........................................................................................................ 63 3. A FREE SOLO IN HIGH HEELS: CORPORATE RISK TAKING AMONG WOMEN EXECUTIVES AND DIRECTORS ................................ 72 Literature Review ............................................................................................. 77 Methods and Data ............................................................................................. 82 Results .............................................................................................................. 89 Discussion and Conclusion .............................................................................. 99 References ........................................................................................................ 104 vii Page 4. THE PRESENCE AND INFLUENCE OF WOMEN IN THE BOARDROOM ................................................................................................ 115 Literature Review ............................................................................................. 119 Methods and Data ............................................................................................. 125 Results .............................................................................................................. 132 Discussion and Conclusion .............................................................................. 148 References ........................................................................................................ 153 5. CONCLUSION ................................................................................................ 163 Summary .......................................................................................................... 163 Research Implications ...................................................................................... 167 Limitations and Future Research ...................................................................... 168 References ........................................................................................................ 170 CURRICULUM VITAE ................................................................................................ 174 viii LIST OF TABLES Table Page 2.1 Descriptive Statistics and Correlations .............................................................. 50 2.2 Logistic Regression of Undergraduate Degree Attainment by Executives ....... 51 2.3 Logistic Regression of Graduate Degree Attainment by Executives................. 52 2.4 Generalized Ordered Logistic Regression of Executive Undergraduate University/College Ranking Odds Ratios .......................................................... 53 2.5 Ordered Logistic Regression of Executive Graduate School Ranking .............. 55 2.6 Logistic Regression of Total Academic Interlinks by