Gender dynamics in the management of commercial and public biotechnology organisations

Data from 30 Australian biotech organisations reveal no significant difference in pay or responsibilities between male and female managers in the commercial sector. By comparison, academic biotech is characterised by vertical segregation with female managers concentrated in lower level management positions. Interviews suggest the organisation of work and career advancement opportunities in commercial biotech are more accommodating of working mothers, an outcome that is primarily productivity-driven. This suggests public biotech organisations seeking to improve gender equity should re-examine how productivity is defined and evaluated, rather than focusing on 'family friendly' policies to accommodate women in existing patterns of work.