Gender and Leadership: Criterion-Focused Review and Research Agenda

This report provides a criterion-focused review of the literature on gender and leadership, drawing upon Campbell et al.'s (1993) theory of job performance to offer a new perspective on the relationship between gender and leadership. The review examines gender differences in leadership outcomes (emergence and effectiveness), leader behaviors, and the direct determinants of leader behaviors (knowledge, skill, and motivation). It also explores the moderating effects of gender on both interpersonal and intrapersonal leadership processes. The report highlights new directions for future research, emphasizing the importance of understanding leadership criteria and processes, and the influence of gender at different stages of the leadership process. The review uses a framework that includes leadership outcomes, behaviors, and direct determinants to analyze the complex relationship between gender and leadership, offering insights into the multifaceted nature of leadership and the challenges women may face in leadership roles.