Comparative Study of Leadership Competences of Female and Male Mexican Expatriates

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to compare female and male leadership competences of Mexican expatriates in the USA, using a qualitative approach. A case study was conducted through a narrative analysis of the information. The study also revised the factors that contributed to the leadership competences of expatriates. The responses of a single female and a single male Mexican expatriates were collected through open responses using an electronic questionnaire. The research questions were: What are the leadership competences of Mexican expatriates? Which are the main differences between women’s and men’s leadership competences in Mexican expatriates? The comparison was made using Pablo Cardona´s model of competences. Since leadership competences are observable behaviors, a narrative analysis was conducted and some key differences were found between male and female leadership competences. For example, it appears that Mexican male expatriates tend to focus on leadership, receptiveness and informal features; while women focus on values, information and formal position. Common features were found between both interviewees concerning work and personal life related to time management competence. As future research, a quantitative analysis is required to corroborate these findings.