Research investigating why women are underrepresented in college and private organizational administrative positions is reviewed. It was found that the differential rate of women in administrative positions is not due to their lack of proper credentials. Other reasons that have been cited are: typical female characteristics make it impossible for women to be effective in a leadership position; sex-role stereotypical attitudes cause discriminatory behavior; and the structure of organizations forms a barrier to the entry and advancement of women. In studying the proposition that "female" characteristics hinder women in leadership positions, most research has dealt with the measurement of leadership styles, with attention to consideration towards followers and initiation of task structure. Leadership styles and attitudes of women in traditional and nontraditional occupations have been compared. Some research has considered the effect of sex-role sterotyping on personnel decisions, leadership style, and discriminatory hiring practices. The way that the organizational structure itself can form barriers on job entry and advancement of women has been studied with special attention to informal "old boys" information networks and informal power networks. Implications and possible solutions to women's underrepresentation as administrators are noted. (SW)