Gender in Management: An International Journal

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore coping strategies devised by executive women in family relationships to advance their career and to maintain career/family balance.

Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative methodology using a sample of 25 executive women explores career advancement and career/family balance strategies within work and family contexts.

Findings – Analysis produces multiple career advancement and career/family balance strategies, including professional support, personal support, value system, and life course strategies such as the “ordering” of career and family, negotiating spousal support, and whether to have children.

Research limitations/implications – Adaptive strategies facilitate engagement in career and family, even in challenging gender environments, encouraging continued research on executive women's advancement and career/family balance. The idiosyncratic nature of career/family balance calls for greater emphasis on the context and timing of career and family experiences.

Practical implications – The paper offers guidance to women seeking to combine executive career and family and to organizations committed to the advancement and retention of women.

Originality/value – The paper jointly explores career advancement and career/family balance strategies pursued by executive women in family relationships. It contributes to a growing body of research on the coping mechanisms and adaptive strategies underlying balance between career and family.