The influence of socio-race, racial identity, gender, educational level, and age on promotion decisions of mid-level supervisors in industry

The influences of socio-race, racial identity development, gender, educational level, and age on promotion and compensation decisions of mid-level supervisors in industry were examined in this analogue study of 74 mid-level business and industry supervisors. The participants varied in socio-racial classifications, gender, educational levels, and age. The participants were administered the following instruments: one of four analogues describing a hypothetical employee (e.g., White male, White female, Black male, Black female) seeking a promotion and accompanying questionnaires, either the White Racial Identity Attitude Scale (Helms & Carter, 1990) or the Racial Identity Attitudes Scale-Form B (Parham & Helms, 1981), and a demographic survey. There were statistically significant differences found in the promotion rates of female analogue employees, the rates of promotion between White male and Black male supervisors, and in the rate of promotion when comparing older versus younger supervisors.