"Queen Bees in Context": Exploring the Intersection of Race and Female Leadership Dynamics

Abstract

The Queen Bee Theory refers to a psychological phenomenon in which women distance themselves from other women in their corporate organization in order to fit in with a male-dominated organizational culture, which in turn amplifies gender bias in that given organization. This study examines how intersectionality–namely the intersection of gender, race, and ethnicity–influences the exhibition of such behaviors. By surveying women who work under both white and nonwhite female leaders, this research aims to uncover whether the manifestation of Queen Bee behaviors differs when race and/or ethnicity is considered. The findings suggest that while Queen Bee behaviors are not directly shaped by racial and/or ethnic identity, they may be more closely linked with broader organizational cultures. This research contributes to existing Queen Bee literature by examining how one’s social identity can influence their workplace behavior and providing recommendations for corporate organizations to counteract the phenomenon.