Managerial motivation and career aspirations of library/information science students

This study reviewed the current research literature on the status of women in library/information science (LIS) management. A study was made of the managerial achievement-motivations of male and female LIS professional students in terms of their educational attainment, experience, age, marital status, mobility, sex roles, professional development, career commitment, affirmative action, and personal achievement-motivations. The data provided pertinent information about contemporary status of male and female LIS practitioners and LIS students and their managerial achievement-motivations and career aspirations.

A survey questionnaire was administered to the LIS students currently enrolled in Master in Library/Information Science (MSLS/ MLS) courses in the 11 Southeastern U. S. LIS schools. Data were classified into such variables as: task orientation, perseverance, fear of failure, future orientation, competitiveness, independence, rigidity and women as managers. Personal data were also gathered by sex, age, marital status, mobility, educational attainment, financial status and parental influence in achievement-motivation. Coded information entered into a computer file formed the data base for analyses and comparisons.

No significant differences were found between the male and the female LIS students in six of the ten motivation criteria studied. Of the four criteria that showed significant differences, the women scored higher on future orientation, perseverance and social needs, and the men scored higher in competitiveness. The females also scored higher on the total achievement-motivation score. It was concluded that reasons for inequities in the achievement of proportionate numbers of administrative positions and equal salaries by female LIS professionals could not be accounted for by lack of motivation to achieve such positions.