Global/Multicultural 
References Work Place Case
September 20, 1994
Female Managers gain overseas assignments but still face
global hurdles
Six percent of North American managers serving abroad are
female, up from 3% in 1987, estimates Nancy Adier, professor of
management at McGill University in Montreal. In the process they
are overturning myths, such as the one that they are hindered by
prejudice in other countries. Prof. Adler says many more of the
female managers she surveyed for a new book found their sex an
advantage: Being such a minority, ,they are "highly visible."
Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Co. says two of the 64
managing directors of its overseas units are women. Three of
Polaroid Corp.'s 23 Americans stationed abroad in
management-level positions are women. And AMR Corp., parent of
American Airlines, says 24 of its 125 expatriate managers are
female, with most assigned in Europe. Women sent to an Islamic
country might find local customs difficult, AMR says.
For women, "the most difficult thing
in an international assignment is getting
sent, not succeeding once you get sent," Prof. Adler adds.
Global/Multicultural
References Work Place Case