Instead, women managers who do break through the glass ceiling are more likely to mentor and support their male colleagues than their female co-workers, according to the study published in the Social Science Research journal.

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As well as the unwanted competition, the researchers say this may partly be due to the fact women occupying senior posts want to blend in as much as possible with their male counterparts, Daily Mail newspaper reported.

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Lead researcher Dr David Maume said: "The popular press and many studies contend that women make better managers than men because they are more supportive leaders, delegate more responsibility and foster the careers of their subordinates, especially the women who work under them.

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"The results are consistent with the notion that female managers have little or no effect on the career prospects of female subordinates and instead foster men's career prospects."

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