The Future of Tech Is Female: How To Achieve Gender Diversity

According to Branson (W. Edward Sell Professor of Business Law, Pitt Law Sch.), information technology is the last industry to promote women into senior leadership roles. Citing current research, the author explores the paradox of an innovative industry with low numbers of women in upper and middle management. Branson reviews the trajectory of women's roles and the current inflection points in education that ensure success in upper management, including gateway computer games that appeal to females as well as access to STEM education and necessary advanced degrees. Branson then examines potential solutions: quota laws, pledge programs, diversity slates, and mandatory reporting that could be adapted to move businesses toward hiring more women in upper-management positions. In addition, he calls for full-scale reform of the computer game segment and its attitudes toward women.