Gender and Diversity Research
Why does equitable access to sports (and sports management careers) matter regardless of gender?
What differences does it make to have balanced resources allocation to parks in all parts of a community?
Why should we provide customized services that meet the needs and the culture of a particular population?
Why is balanced representation of gender and race in heritage tourism interpretation important?
These questions and others reflect the challenges faced by park, recreation, tourism and sport practitioners every day. Studies conducted by PRTM researchers are expanding policymakers, planners, and managers' understanding of traditional practices and the need for new and innovative gender and diversity policies and practices. Our research is influencing thinking and hiring practices by offering strategies to help administrators and practitioners serve all populations in a fair and equitable manner.
The envisioned outcome?
Park, recreation, tourism and sport programs available to a diverse population of users led by a diverse population of practitioners. That's research that's both responsive and responsible.
Featured Project: Organizational Behavior - Women, Management, and Sport
Their mission?
More women compete in sport today than ever before. Participation for women at both the interscholastic and intercollegiate levels are at all time highs. So why are the number of females in intercollegiate athletic administration not seeing the same growth as participation rates?
Focusing on the congruity (or incongruity) between gender roles and other roles (management/leadership) is one method to explain why women are underrepresented in athletic administration. Called Role Congruity Theory, this approach proposes a prejudice toward female leaders and other potential leaders because leadership ability is more stereotypically associated to men than women.
Why does this matter?
By understanding the extent to which gender role stereotyping plays a part in the current under-representation of women in leadership and management positions within sport, we are one step closer to the development of recruiting, hiring and promotion strategies which yield a management population which more closely mirrors that of the competitive population.
Learn more about Gender Equity and the NCAA
Examples of Recent Publications from PRTM in the area of Gender and Diversity:
Canan, K., & Henderson, K.A., Asci, F. H., Bulgu, N. (2009). Constraints to leisure-time physical activity and negotiation strategies in Turkish women. Journal of Leisure Research, 41(2), 225-252.
Henderson, K.A. (2009). Just research and physical activity: Diversity is more than an independent variable (research reflection). Leisure Sciences, 31, 100-105.
Grappendorf, H., Henderson, A., Sanders, S. & Peel, J, (2009). Is it equitable online? The media coverage of the 2007 NCAA Division I basketball tournament on Foxsports.com, The Smart Journal, Vol. V, Issue I, p 30-42.
Henderson, A. C., Grappendorf, H., & Burton, L. (2009). Investigating attractiveness in the hiring process of female athletes. Gender in Management: An International Journal, 24(3).
Burton, L., Grappendorf, H., Henderson, A., & Dennis, J. (2008). The relevance of athletic participation for men and women: Examination of hiring preferences to entry level management positions based on role congruity theory. International Journal of Sport Management, 9(2), 175-192.
Grappendorf, H., Burton, L., & Henderson, A. (2008). Does athletic participation give women an advantage? Using role congrutiy theory to examine initial salary recommendations. Applied Research in Coaching and Athletics Annual, 23, 147-174.
Floyd, M. F., Bocarro, J. N., & Thompson, T. (2008). Research on race and ethnicity in Leisure Studies: A review of five major journals. Journal of Leisure Research, 40(1), 1-22.
Santos, C. A., & Rozier, S. (2007). Intercultural communication competence and conflict negotiation strategies: Perceptions of park staff and diverse park users. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 25(1), 22-49.