ABSTRACT
In the previous chapter, an examination of certain statistical data demonstrated that blacks are clearly underrepresented in upper management positions within U.S. corporations. In an attempt to understand the reasons for this insufficiency, current literature on the issue of black mobility in the corporate arena was examined. Two main viewpoints surfaced. First, corporate leadership argued that blacks are underrepresented at the upper echelon because not enough qualified blacks are available to be promoted into these higher level management positions. Second, blacks employed in the corporate arena argued that there are blacks who have acquired the necessary qualifications, but they are still not being promoted into higher level positions. A number of surveys have shown that many blacks perceive that, despite having attained the requisite skills and qualifications needed for upward mobility, they were not receiving the same opportunities for corporate advancement as their similarly qualified white counterparts (Fernandez 1993; Wernick 1994; Federal Glass Ceiling Commission 1995; America and Anderson 1996;).
