Sources of Organizational Demography: Faculty Sex Ratios in Colleges and Universities

Abstract

Three theoretical explanations of variations in the demographic composition of organizations are used to derive empirically testable hypotheses on the determinants of the proportion of female faculty members in colleges and universities. The first, drawn from economic theory, emphasizes the role of employers' associational preferences. The second emphasizes the influence of constituents, individuals served by and providing support to the organization. The third focuses on employees' preferences for particular work environments. The structural characteristics each explanation suggests as predictors of demographic composition are examined, using a sample of institutions offering four-year and higher-level degrees. The results provide support for the first and second explanations but not for the third. Implications of this research for studies of the roles of organizations in social stratification processes are discussed.

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