Women executives: public and private sectors as sites of advancement?

There are significantly more New Zealand women in senior management positions in the public sector than in private businesses. This study draws on the experiences and perceptions of 30 women executives who have considerable managerial experience in either sector. Success factors for the individual women are outlined before the cultures of the public and private sectors are described. Through the eyes of respondents, the public and private sectors have distinguishable organizational cultures; both of which provide parallel but different sites for advancement. The private sector businesses have a focus on competition and the public sector has a strong ethos of service, in spite of restructuring. The findings are discussed in the context of a country that has strong women leadership in the political sphere.