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Res High Educ (2009) 50:460482
DOI 10.1007/s11162-009-9128-9
Received: 1 February 2008 / Published online: 12 March 2009 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2009
Abstract The concept of glass ceiling effects has emerged in social science research in general and higher education in particular over the past 20 years. These studies have described the impediments that women and people of color encounter in their quest for senior-level positions (e.g., CEOs) in society as glass ceiling effects. Literature, both empirical and non-empirical, has provided broad and varied interpretations of glass ceiling effects. In turn, the literature is less-than-settled on the application of glass ceiling effects. In this manuscript, the authors analyzed and critiqued 66 documents in order to advance theoretical and practical knowledge regarding glass ceiling effects in higher education.
Keywords Glass ceiling Diversity Discrimination Gender inequities
Racial disparities
The concept of the glass ceiling has become increasingly embedded in the discourse and praxis of society (Coleman 1998). The core principles of a glass ceiling align with a contemporary movement to diversify senior-level positions in society by making advancements with regards to gender and racial/ethnic participation. Specically, the concept of a glass ceiling is generally viewed as a set of impediments and/or barriers to career advancement for women and people of color (Baxter and Wright 2000; Morrison et al. 1987; Morrison and Von Glinow 1990). These impediments and/or barriers span a constellation of variables that materialize into conscious and sub-conscious discriminatory practices (Lee 2002; Martin 1991, 1992; Padavic and Reskin 2002; Ridgeway 2001). As such, this manuscript is focused on the myriad effects of the glass ceiling phenomena. It is precisely this issuethe multiplicity of effectsthat underscores the rationale for the current literature review. Therefore, the animating intent of this manuscript is to synthesize what we know about glass ceiling effects research in
J. F. L. Jackson (&) E. M. OCallaghan
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA e-mail: [email protected]
What Do We Know About Glass Ceiling Effects?
A Taxonomy and Critical Review to Inform Higher Education Research
Jerlando F. L. Jackson Elizabeth M. OCallaghan
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order to advance the use of the concept to encourage higher education research on the topic.
Approximately 20 years have passed since the Federal Government has dedicated...