Measuring the queen bee syndrome: scale development and validation

Purpose This study develops and validates the Woman Subordinates Perceived Woman Supervisors' Queen Bee Syndrome Scale (SPQBS), a direct, experience-based measure of women supervisors' queen bee syndrome (QBS) grounded in woman subordinates' perception. Design/methodology/approach First, in-depth interviews with woman subordinates informed inductive item generation. Second, an exploratory factor analysis (N = 205) identified the construct's dimensions. Third, a two-wave survey validated the scale via confirmatory factor analysis (N = 309) and tests of criterion-related validity (N = 204). Findings The SPQBS includes five dimensions: alienated relationship, constrained delegation, ineffective communication, ineffective mentoring and constrained development. Each dimension includes three items; thus, the construct comprises 15 items in total. Originality/value The mainstream quantitative studies on QBS have used indirect measures, such as feminine and masculine self-descriptions or increased stereotypical perceptions, labeling women with these features as queen bees without a solid theoretical or phenomenal foundation. SPQBS provides a new way to directly measure QBS by examining woman subordinates' perspectives. This measure has the potential to enrich literature on leadership and diversity, equity and inclusion in workplaces.