Behavioral implications of adaption-innovation: I. Managerial effectiveness as a function of sex differences in adaption-innovation

We developed 3 studies to investigate the relationship between effective management and the positions of male and female managers on Kirton’s cognitive style dimension of adaption (doing things better) vs. innovation (doing things differently). Both sexes equated innovation with effective male management and adaption with effective female management. The role in management style of characteristic sex-specific differences in adaption-innovation is discussed.