Divestiture in professional socialization: Toward understanding its impact on women MBA students

Abstract

This study seeks to enhance the current understanding of socialization processes for individuals entering Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs and, by extension, the profession of management. In particular, the study is designed to understand how one socialization tactic, called investiture vs. divestiture, is described by students in MBA programs. Further, the study seeks to understand how investiture vs. divestiture may affect women differently from men. Researchers assert that divestiture (an identity transforming process), as opposed to investiture (or identity preserving process), is fundamental to the process of becoming a professional (Haas & Saffir, 1982; Van Maanen & Schein, 1979). It is, therefore, important to understand how this tactic impacts various populations as they seek to enter their chosen professional careers. Study participants were men and women who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. ^ The study uses a discourse analytic approach to generate mid-range theorizing about socialization processes in MBA programs and how they might impact the sexes differently. Focus groups, electronic survey diaries, and documents were utilized for data collection, and Domain Analysis provided a systematic way to review data and interpret results.^