Falk, Erika and Grizzard, Erin (2005). The "Glass Ceiling" Persists: Women Leaders in Communciation Companies, Journal of Media Business Studies 2(1):23-49.
Key Words: leadership, corporate governance, benefits, gender
This article documents the number of women in executive positions and on boards of directors of the largest media and communication companies in the U.S. and looks at the human resource policies of the companies. On average, women make up no more than 15% of top executives and even less of board directors, and no company has a majority of women in top executive positions or on boards. The article also examines the degree to which these firms provide benefits packages that address women's needs. Although the percentage of companies that offer all employees medical benefits of particular concern to women is quite high, other benefits are still notably lacking. Programs that provide on-site early education and care are very rare as are programs that provide paternity benefits.