So concludes a groundbreaking study, based on a poll of 1,684 male and female M.B.A. graduates of 12 leading U.S. business schools between 1981 and 1995. He also wants the consortium to raise more scholarship money for women seeking M.B.A.s. On its own, he said, Michigan will soon solicit such donations from its female M.B.A. grads.
Some corporate sponsors embrace the consortium idea.
Surveyed female graduates primarily blame women's reluctance to pursue an M.B.A. on the lack of role models for women in the business world and business-school faculty. Male grads believe the leading reason for the enrollment plateau is the perceived incompatibility of business careers with work-life balance, according to the study. There was less unanimity of satisfaction about their post-M.B.A. careers, however. Line, or operational, jobs more typically lead to high-level management posts than staff ones. Other Steps Are Urged Besides the consortium idea endorsed by Dean White, the study urged business schools and businesses to boost women's M.B.A. enrollment through several other steps.