A1 Journal article (refereed)
The effects of leadership development on women's career success (2019)

Lämsä, A.-M., & Savela, T. (2019). The effects of leadership development on women's career success. International Journal of Human Resources Development and Management, 19(1), 21-36. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJHRDM.2019.097055

The research was funded by Strategic Research Council at the Research Council of Finland.

JYU authors or editors

Lämsä, Anna-Maija

Publication details

All authors or editors: Lämsä, Anna-Maija; Savela, Terttu

Journal or series: International Journal of Human Resources Development and Management

ISSN: 1465-6612

eISSN: 1741-5160

Publication year: 2019

Volume: 19

Issue number: 1

Pages range: 21-36

Publisher: Inderscience Enterprises

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1504/IJHRDM.2019.097055

Publication open access: Other way freely accessible online

Publication channel open access:

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/60899

Abstract

This study extends our knowledge of leadership development, specifically Master's in Business Administration (MBA) programs, from a gender perspective. It presents a comprehensive case, women-only development program and conducts an empirical, longitudinal, qualitative study of the effect of one of the program modules, namely, the women-only MBA, on the women's career success. The empirical study focused on self-efficacy mechanisms for explaining the women's appraisals of their changes in abilities affecting their career success during the MBA program. The participants were interviewed twice: once at the beginning of the MBA and then after completing it. A trusting atmosphere, social support, new business competencies, and the participants' ability to re-frame their mindsets concerning women's career potential were detected as significant sources of self-efficacy gained from the MBA. Encouragement from significant others, typically respected males, was also found to be a promoting factor.

Keywords: leadership (activity); managers and executives; professional development; gender; Masters of Science (Economics and Business Administration); independent initiative; career development