The relationship between sex role stereotypes and perceived management characteristics among male and female students was examined and compared to results recorded over the past four decades. As the number of women in employment and managerial positions increases, a change in perceptions of women as managers is expected. To test this belief, a thorough review of the literature since 1973 was conducted and the characteristics perceived as necessary for managerial success were examined among 383 male business students and 414 female business students in the Republic of Ireland. The results confirmed that managers are still perceived by male students to possess the characteristics, attitudes and temperaments more commonly ascribed to men than women. Among the female sample there was no significant difference between the ratings of men and managers compared to the ratings of women and managers. The pattern of results has remained the same despite the developments in the discourse on gender equality in education and other settings over the last decade.