Graduation Semester and Year
2017
Language
English
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Communications
Department
Communication
First Advisor
Dustin Harp
Abstract
This study explores gender equality in the workplace using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Two sets of data were analyzed: leadership training and development materials and in-depth interviews. This two-fold method allowed for a holistic approach to analyzing data and made it possible to compare findings from the textual analysis with insights gained from the interviews. This study revealed a lack of attention being devoted to developing and promoting leadership training materials and experiences that acknowledge gender differences and encourage gender equality. It was determined that overall, gender associated rhetoric used in the course titles and descriptions made up barely 6% of the total word count. However, the focus of leadership development materials were nine times more likely to support the leadership development of men based on the topics of the courses offered. Only four courses focused on topics supporting the development of business and financial strategic acumen. Interviews exposed the belief that many of the most important leadership skills that women possess are not learned, but rather they are innate. Women also believed that their most beneficial development experiences came from collaborative interactive encounters where they had the opportunity for discussion, particularly mentorships.
Keywords
Gender bias, Workplace inequality, Leadership development
Disciplines
Communication | Social and Behavioral Sciences
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Prieto, Anna Elizabeth, "FRAMING LEADERSHIP RHETORIC: EXPLORING GENDER (IN) EQUALITY IN CORPORATE TRAINING MATERIAL" (2017). Communication Theses. 49.
https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/communication_theses/49
Comments
Degree granted by The University of Texas at Arlington