Final answer:
The lack of women and minorities in senior management positions can be explained by the glass ceiling effect, which is an invisible barrier caused by discrimination that prevents their progress. It is rooted in social patterns of discrimination and gender stereotypes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The lack of women and minorities in senior management positions can be explained by the glass ceiling effect. The glass ceiling is an invisible barrier caused by discrimination that prevents women and minorities from rising to the highest levels of an organization, including corporations, governments, academic institutions, and religious organizations. It is rooted in America's social patterns of discrimination and gender stereotypes, which affect hiring, promotion, and salary decisions. Despite improvements over the years, the glass ceiling still persists and hampers the representation of women and minorities in senior management.