A Quantitative Study Examining the Relationship Between Gender and Career Advancement in Product Management

Gender-based career advancement disparities are prevalent across various fields, yet their impact on product management remains understudied. This quantitative correlational study investigated career advancement barriers faced by 173 full-time, salaried U.S.-based product managers and senior product managers, focusing on gender differences. Survey data explored the relationship between gender and perceived barriers, including lack of culture fit, exclusion from informal networks, mentoring deficiencies, poor organizational career management, limited developmental assignments, and geographic mobility constraints. Organizational justice theory and the glass ceiling metaphor framed this research, utilizing a Mann-Whitney U test for analysis. Results revealed a statistically significant relationship between gender and the perception of 'lack of culture fit' as a career advancement barrier. This study contributes to existing gender-based career advancement disparity research, highlighting the intersection of gender, career progression, and the product management field. The findings offer valuable insights for product management professionals and organizational leaders to promote gender equity through informed career development strategies.