The Future is Bright!
For the last seven years Sandra Dawson has been Director for the Judge Institute of Management at Cambridge University. With the ever popularity of business studies as a degree choice for students, We asked Sandra for her own perspective on the improvements that have been made for women in business and her thoughts on the future.1) How did you acquire your current position at Cambridge University?
I have been an academic in business schools for most of my professional life, spending the first 26 years of my career at Imperial College where I was promoted from a short-term research assistant to full Professor. I was not expecting to move but the opportunity to move arose in Cambridge and direct the business school and I found the prospect irresistible.
2) What was it that initially interested you in the study of business?
Two areas of initial fascination. One was the issue of motivation, particularly in relation to non-financial reward. The second was the basis of effective organisational design.
3) Have things improved for women in business?
We are witnessing a gradual increase in the number of opportunities for women. There are still some fairly entrenched views that women cannot be expected to rise to the top. A variety of reasons are always cited for example the difficulties of balancing domestic commitments with career progression, what are seemed to be "womanly character traits" but the basic problem is that there is a shortage of women coming into these positions.
4) What other improvements could be made?
The major issue is increasing the pool of women from whom senior jobs can be selected.
5) Have you noticed the shortage of women in any particular area of studying business? If so, where and why do you think it is?
There is a shortage of women in all the fields. Perhaps less so in organisational behaviour and most acutely in finance, strategy and marketing.
6) In your opinion, what can stop women from succeeding in business?
The same reasons that stop women also stop men succeeding. Lack of opportunity, lack of confidence and sometimes lack of ability.
7) What advice would you offer to young women who are considering studying a degree in Business Studies?
That's easy! Choose a very good programme and go and enjoy it.
8) So….is the future bright for women in business?
Extremely bright. There are lots of openings and a shortage of women to fill them.
