Gender and career experience in mainland Chinese state‐owned enterprises

This paper examines the career experience of Chinese male and female managers in an emerging socialist market economy. The paper is based on research carried out in a range of Chinese state‐owned enterprises. It explores managers’ attitudes toward their careers as a result of changes in enterprise governance, which limit promotion opportunities and reduce job security. In particular, this study investigates gender differences in coping strategies, when career expectations have been frustrated. The results and their implications for future studies of career experience are discussed.