Gender differences in career perceptions in the People's Republic of China

Abstract

Purpose

This paper seeks to review gender differences in career goals and career tactics of men and women in the People's Republic of China (PRC).

Design/methodology/approach

Survey results were used to identify empirical differences in career beliefs of 233 managers employed in 16 organizations in the PRC.

Findings

Women and men were equally likely to value achievement, contributing to the family, and collectivism as career goals and to use loyalty to superiors, and networking as career tactics. Women were more likely than men to try to learn more and to want to get more education as career tactics.

Research limitations/implications

The non‐random sample that does not include every province in the PRC and the low scale internal consistency limit these findings.

Practical implications

Gender discrimination based on beliefs that women will be less loyal or ambitious are not justified by these results.

Originality/value

These results challenge stereotypes about Chinese women and provide information rarely examined.

Citation

Skromme Granrose, C. (2007), "Gender differences in career perceptions in the People's Republic of China", Career Development International, Vol. 12 No. 1, pp. 9-27. https://doi.org/10.1108/13620430710724802