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The Situational Context of Tenured Female Faculty in the Academy and the Impact of Critical Mass of Tenured Female Faculty on Pre-tenure Faculty Job Satisfaction: A Four Discipline Study

Bouvier, Dianne L.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1368055373

Abstract Details

2013, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, Higher Education (Education).
This research studies the convergence between critical mass, discipline and gender in the academy. Critical mass theory is based on the concept that when a "nonmajority" group reaches a minimal threshold they can generate a sustained and lasting change within an organization. Some literature posits that critical mass is met when there are three or more women in small organizations such as corporate boards, changing board decision-making in terms of processes and outcomes (Kramer, Konrad, & Erkut, 2006). Other research describes critical mass as women representing at least 15% of the group, which results in less "token overload," decreased hypervisibility and invisibility issues, and reduced stereotyping (Kanter, 1977; Etzkowitz, Kemelgor, & Uzzi, 2000; Carrigan, Quinn, & Riskin, 2011). The research merges these two definitions, and assesses the characteristics found in environments with or without a critical mass of tenured female faculty, as well as the impact of critical mass, gender and discipline on job satisfaction for pre-tenure faculty. While women receive doctoral degrees in higher percentages than their male colleagues, they do not ascend the ranks in the same proportions (Touchton, McTighe Musil, & Peltier Campbell, 2008). A critical mass of tenured female faculty has the ability to positively impact the environment for pre-tenure faculty at the departmental level. The study used data from the 2011-12 Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education (COACHE) quantitative and qualitative survey responses. Results indicate that over 75% of those surveyed work in departments where tenured female faculty met the critical mass threshold. The four disciplines included in this study are finance/accounting, management, English and history. Findings indicate that a critical mass of tenured female faculty positively impacted environments for pre-tenure females and males in history, as well as females in management. In management departments without a critical mass of tenured female faculty, females were significantly less satisfied with job satisfaction while their male colleagues were significantly more satisfied. Critical mass had no discernible effect on pre-tenure faculty in finance/accounting. Further qualitative research is needed to better understand environments using the lenses of critical mass, discipline and gender to better understand these dynamics across the academy. Using Acker's (1990) gendered analysis framework, this study offers insight into the complexities found in higher education today.
Valerie Martin Conley (Committee Chair)
Katherine Jellison (Committee Member)
Josetta McLaughlin (Committee Member)
Taylor-Bianco Amy (Committee Member)
Bhat Christine (Committee Member)
312 p.
Gender; Higher Education
Faculty; gender; critical mass; discipline; COACHE; tenure reform

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Bouvier, D. L. (2013). The Situational Context of Tenured Female Faculty in the Academy and the Impact of Critical Mass of Tenured Female Faculty on Pre-tenure Faculty Job Satisfaction: A Four Discipline Study [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1368055373

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Bouvier, Dianne. The Situational Context of Tenured Female Faculty in the Academy and the Impact of Critical Mass of Tenured Female Faculty on Pre-tenure Faculty Job Satisfaction: A Four Discipline Study. 2013. Ohio University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1368055373.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Bouvier, Dianne. "The Situational Context of Tenured Female Faculty in the Academy and the Impact of Critical Mass of Tenured Female Faculty on Pre-tenure Faculty Job Satisfaction: A Four Discipline Study." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio University, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1368055373

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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© 2013, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.