Triumphing over adversity? Organizational Munificence and Women's Careers in Public Service

Occupational segregation and precarity remain persistent problems for women in public organizations and are symbolized by ‘glass ceiling’ and ‘glass cliff’ effects. Theory indicates that organizational munificence at... [ view full abstract ]

Occupational segregation and precarity remain persistent problems for women in public organizations and are symbolized by ‘glass ceiling’ and ‘glass cliff’ effects. Theory indicates that organizational munificence at the time of appointment may impact on individual careers as a consequence of ‘imprint-environment fit’. Prosperous conditions at the time of hire might generate confidence and capability, whilst austerity may prompt risk-averse tendencies and resilience within female employees. However, these effects remain relatively unexplored in the context of public services, despite potential to furnish explanations for glass ceiling and glass cliff patterns. We evaluate the impact of organizational munificence at appointment on subsequent employment outcomes for women in Danish public services. Statistical analyses draw on the Integrated Database for Labor market research in Denmark, which provides an annual picture of the labor market situation (employer, salary, managerial status, and hours worked) for every individual, linked to gender, age, ethnicity and education. Results indicate that austerity at time of appointment is related to higher wages later in the career, and that effects of conditions at time of appointment are more important for women with less human capital. Implications for debates on diversity and resilience in public organizations are identified.