Diversity in the technical work force. Rethinking the management of scientists and engineers

In a survey of over 1900 scientists and engineers from 18 companies, we find that work climate as defined by Pelz and Andrews (1976) differs for U.S. born women and for the foreign born compared to U.S. born men. Using the Pelz and Andrews measures where possible, we find that women report less technical control, fewer communication contacts, more time on a major project, less dedication (work involvement), less perceived similarity, and less work group cohesiveness in newer groups than do men. The foreign born report fewer communication contacts, more time on major projects, more dedication, more internal motivation, and more perceived similarity. On issues regarding work and family, the foreign born express less concern for work-family conflict, while women in general do not differ from men in this regard. Women with dependents do, however, have much more difficulty with dependent care than do men with dependents.