Påverkas ledarskap i en kvinnodominerad organisation av könsrollsstereotyper - En studie av skillnader i ledarskap mellan män och kvinnor i en kvinnodominerad organisation.
Research within gender and leadership has often focused on leaders in male dominated work areas, but quite recently interest has arise for examine leadership in female dominated work areas. This thesis analyzes possible differences connected to theories about gender stereotypes that may exist among male and female leaders within a female dominated organization. Further, possible underlying reasons to why or why not differences between genders might be found are investigated. The research question is addressed through a single embedded case study design at the Swedish public organization Försäkringskassan. The primary focus is middle managers, and twenty qualitative interviews were conducted with leaders and co-workers at two local offices and at the organizations headquarter. The analysis starts out at an individual level to then adopt a more general approach. Conclusions drawn are that gender stereotypic differences cannot be found between leaders at an individual level. However, gender stereotypes are reproduced at an idea level, resulting in a more positive view on the male leaders that adapt to a softer leader style. Also male leaders are perceived to easier advance to higher positions, and put a high value on relations upwards in the organization, while female leaders are found to cherish the relation toward co-workers.