A National Longitudinal Analysis of Women’s Representation in Private-Sector Economic Development Organizations

This national study analyzes changes in women’s representation in economic development organizations (EDOs) at the state level between 1988 and 1998. Although in 1998, the number of women in EDOs was still small (11.9% of all memberships), the increase in women’s representation during the decade was 56.6%. These figures parallel other research reports that note women’s increased representation as corporate officers and board members. Future research should focus on the extent to which women’s agendas for economic development differ and whether women’s influence is sufficient to advance an agenda.