To Örebro University

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the conditions for both managers and their leadership in a human service-organization and the conditions that exist for men in a predominantly female workplace, partly to investigate employees' perceptions of male managers and their leadership in a predominantly female workplace.

The following issues are addressed in our study:

• What are the conditions for managers and their leadership in a human service organization?
• What are the conditions for men in a predominantly female workplace?
• What perceptions and experiences do the employees have of male managers and their leadership in a predominantly female workplace?

To answer the question and issues, we used a qualitative method using semistructured interviews. The interviews were conducted in a nursing home with the operations manager and five employees in various positions. Our theoretical starting points is based on theories and previous research about human service-organizations, leadership and men in minority.

The results of our study show that there are good opportunities for men who are in managerial position in a predominantly female workplace. The operations manager meets the requirements for being a manager in a human service-organization, which means personnel and overall economic responsibility. It was revealed in the study that the operations manager exerts both a relationship-oriented and task-related leadership, which is demanded for both be able to handle the staff in the form of autonomous groups while focus on organizational goals, policies and guidelines. The employees are positive about the leadership which created favorable conditions for the operational manager to exercise effective leadership. Male managers deemed to create a balance in female-dominated workplaces. Employees also appreciate male managers more than female managers because in their past experiences they had a better relationship with male managers.

Keywords: Autonomous groups, human service-organization, men in minority, relationship-oriented and task-related leadership