Gender difference and factors affecting towards the career progress of state university lecturers

Abstract

The objective of this research was to 1) study the career progress of state universities lecturers, both male and female, in term of administrative position and academic position 2) compare the career progress of them, both male and female, in term of the objective career progress and the subjective career progress and 3) analyze the factors impacting their career progress, both male and female. The research methodology composed of 1) documentary research from annual report of the office of higher education commission and different state universities annual report 2) survey research using three – stage stratified sampling from 8 universities. The 400 samples composed of 200 males and 200 females from 4 universities in Bangkok and peripheral area, and 4 universities in provinces. The questionnaire was used for gathering data from the samples and percentage, arithmetic mean, standard deviation and multiple regression were used for analyzing the data. And 3) in - depth interview was used for gathering data from the samples, consisting of 30 professors, 15 males and 15 females, and 30 lecturers, also 15 males and 15 females, by semi – structural interview form and additionally through observation by the researcher. The result revealed that the total numbers of state universities lecturers in the past were more males than females and there are more females than males at present. Furthermore the members of social sciences and humanities are more females than males, members of sciences and technologies, and health sciences are more males than females. The professor position, both level 10 and 11, are males than females. Firstly, most of this position are health sciences members, secondly, they are sciences and technologies, and the last are social sciences and humanities members. Moreover, it was revealed that 52.75% of universities members hold a highest master’s degree, most of them were females and 46.50% hold a highest doctoral degree, most of them were males. In addition, 58.00% of the males hold a highest degree from foreign countries, and 43.75% of females were lectureships in universities at the start of their working. It was found that factors impacting the different career progress between males and females at statistical significant at 0.05 level composed of gender identities, for males clearly that were self – confidence, enthusiasm, decision – making, and make an adjustment, and for females, clearly that were endeavor, exhaustiveness, dedication and coordination. Furthermore, gender attitude was another factor towards career progress, especially the administrative position, males were more accepted than females as well as males got a chance to promote, to be supported, and to be expected than females. Besides, females still had more household tasks responsibilities than males. In term of in – depth interview revealed that the factor affecting on career progress of professors level 11 were composed of 1) individual factors such as expectation of life, intention and endeavor, working awareness, and responsibilities 2) organizational factors such as policy, planning, promotion process, financial and materials support, including organization climate and organizational culture. As for lecturers level 7, that were still in the same position after more than 10 years, were composed of their individual attitude concerning promotion process of academic, lack of motivation, time management, too much routine work, too heave of a teaching load in many subjects, student supervision, consulting on student activities, and other committee duties in administrative position. In conclusion, it was able to summarize that the trend in the future, males expect to progress to higher positions more than females do.