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Discrimination in the Workplace, Women & Employment, Women & Employment - General & Miscellaneous, Science - General & Miscellaneous, Sex Discrimination
Women's Work: Gender Equality vs. Hierarchy in the Life Sciences by Laurel Smith-Doerr β€” book cover

Women's Work: Gender Equality vs. Hierarchy in the Life Sciences

by Laurel Smith-Doerr
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Overview

"Women scientists working in small, for-profit companies are eight times more likely than their university counterparts to head a research lab. Why? Laurel Smith-Doerr reveals that, contrary to widely held assumptions, strong career opportunities for women and minorities do not depend on the formal policies and long job ladders that large, hierarchical bureaucracies provide. In fact, highly internally linked biotechnology firms are far better workplaces for female scientists (when compared to university settings or established pharmaceutical companies), offering women richer opportunities for career advancement." Based on quantitative analyses of more than two-thousand life scientists' careers and qualitative studies of scientists in eight biotech and university settings, Smith-Doerr's work shows clearly that the network form of organization, rather than fostering "old boy networks," provides the organizational flexibility that not only stimulates innovation, but also aids women's success.

Synopsis

In this study, Smith-Doerr identifies some of the organizational factors that support the career success of women working in the life sciences. Drawing upon quantitative analyses of more than two thousand life scientists' careers and qualitative studies of scientists in eight biotech and university settings, she shows how the network form of organization offers women the best opportunities for career advancement. The author teaches sociology at Boston University. The text is based upon her dissertation. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

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Book Details

Published
August 1, 2004
Publisher
Lynne Rienner Publishers, Inc.
Pages
205
Format
Hardcover
ISBN
9781588262646

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