Publication Date
8-2025
Advisor(s) - Committee Chair
Molly Kerby, Lester Archer, Aquesha Daniels, Mariah Yates
Degree Program
Educational Leadership
Degree Type
Specialist in Education
Abstract
Sponsorship is vital for advancing women's careers but is often inconsistently applied. Limited programs for women seeking leadership roles and a lack of sponsors can hinder progress. This study used a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative survey data from 73 participants with qualitative insights. Sponsors advocate for protégés, emphasizing visibility, promotion, and networking, while mentorship offers guidance and coaching. Many leadership roles confuse sponsorship with mentorship, as noted by Helms et al. (2016). However, the key difference lies in influence. The study had four objectives: to explore women's perceptions of sponsorship, analyze how roles and tenure influence these perceptions, enhance discussions about women’s workplace experiences, and advance theories on Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) and the challenges women encounter in leadership, as outlined in the Labyrinth Theory. A convergent design collected and analyzed qualitative and quantitative data separately before merging, testing LMX theory on the impact of sponsorship on high-potential talent's career paths. Qualitative data also examined the leadership styles of engaged sponsors and their link to sponsorship effectiveness. The study proposes practical measures: 1) Raise Awareness: Organizations should educate junior staff about sponsorship's definition and significance. 2) Formalize Sponsorship: Create structured, inclusive programs for fair career advancement. 3) Incentivize Leadership Participation: Senior leaders must be encouraged and held accountable for sponsoring underrepresented employees. 4) Target Early-Career Development: Focus sponsorship on junior employees, especially women, due to their limited access and greater needs.
Disciplines
Education | Educational Leadership | Gender and Sexuality | Organization Development | Social and Behavioral Sciences | Sociology | Work, Economy and Organizations
Recommended Citation
Malek-Morvai, Shaparak, "A CONVERGENT PARALLEL MIXED METHOD DESIGN ANALYSIS OF SPONSORSHIP AND THE ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN IN THE WORKPLACE" (2025). Masters Theses & Specialist Projects. Paper 3863.
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/theses/3863
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Educational Leadership Commons, Gender and Sexuality Commons, Organization Development Commons, Work, Economy and Organizations Commons