An alternative perspective on sex differences in organizational settings: The process of legitimation

Presented is an analytical foundation for an organizational explanation of differences between male & female group behavior, developed through an examination of differential sex-role socialization-the traditional explanation for sex differences-followed by consideration of the work by M. E. Lockheed & K. P. Hall (see SA 25:3/I7344), which explains differences in mixed-sex groups. The organizational orientation explains differences in same-sex groups using the concepts of legitimacy & division of labor. Results from a pilot study involving 20, 4-person groups are used to examine the nature of alternative division of labor in all-male & all-female groups. These results agreed with predictions made using the organizational framework, in that a procedural differentiated division of labor was more characteristic of male groups, individuality was more successful in female groups, & performance level could be better predicted from the division of labor pattern than by sex of group. Implications for intervention strategies are discussed. 1 Table. M. Migalski.