Retaining Women in Male-Dominated Occupations across Cultures: The Role of Supervisor Support and Psychological Safety

Abstract

ABSTRACT Despite the efforts to increase female representation in male-dominated occupations, many organizations are still challenged by a female talent shortage and high turnover in such jobs. We look at perceived supervisor support (PSS) as one factor that may reduce turnover intentions of female employees in male-dominated occupations via enhanced perceptions of psychological safety. Further, we integrate social exchange and social identity theories, with research on cross-cultural management, to develop and test a moderated mediation model in which the relationship between PSS and employee turnover intentions via psychological safety is conditional on employee gender and national levels of gender equality, utilizing a sample of 5,578 R&D employees across 24 countries. Our findings have theoretical and practical implications for retaining female employees in male-dominated occupations across the globe.