Discrimination and women in sport management in Pusan, Republic of Korea

The problems of gender discrimination facing women sport leaders in Pusan, Republic of Korea (R.O.K.) were investigated. A 26-item survey instrument was developed to ascertain the problems facing women in positions of sport leadership. Three research questions were addressed: (1) what was the management structure of R.O.K. sport organizations; (2) what was the role of women within the management structure of the organizations; and (3) what were the interrelationships of discrimination problems faced by the women who attained positions of leadership? The survey was conducted in December, 1994. Analysis of the data indicated that women were well-qualified, but not many were employed in leadership positions in their organizations. The organizations had inconsistent decision-making processes, so that women did not feel that their interests were protected by the organization. Few women were satisfied or thought their chances of advancement were good. Important problems faced by women were conscious and subconscious discrimination. These discrimination factors interacted most closely with the women's belief that their sport organizations placed more emphasis on winning than on education. The women were also unwilling to go along with governing regulations, These results showed a distrust of institutions as well as basic lack of gender fairness, as perceived by the Pusan sample.