Business School Education and Women’s Career Success in the Financial Services Industry
Ylva Baeckström
King’s Business School, King’s College London, UK
and School of Business, Administration and Law, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
Volume 19: 2024, pp. 00-00; ABSTRACT
Business schools create the talent pool of future corporate leaders, among whom women
are underrepresented, particularly in the financial services industry. Research shows that women
report lower financial self-efficacy and less inclination to pursue risky financial services careers
compared to men. However, it remains unknown if business schools challenge patriarchal practices
that uphold male career advantages. This study measures the effects of a lecture intervention
designed to challenge gender stereotypes. Surveying business school students before and after the
lecture reveals that certain attitudes to financial decision-making and careers follow limiting, gender
stereotypical, patterns. Female students have lower financial risk tolerance and both genders
associate financial careers and investing more with the male than the female gender. Reassuringly,
these attitudes are somewhat responsive to the lecture intervention. These findings are relevant to
the development of effective education strategies at business schools. Strategies that foster a more
gender balanced workforce, a workforce that can encourage inclusive practices in the financial
services industry.
Keywords: higher education, gender equality, financial services industry, career progression, stereotyping.
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