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

Abstract

PurposeThis 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/approachSurvey results were used to identify empirical differences in career beliefs of 233 managers employed in 16 organizations in the PRC.FindingsWomen 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/implicationsThe non‐random sample that does not include every province in the PRC and the low scale internal consistency limit these findings.Practical implicationsGender discrimination based on beliefs that women will be less loyal or ambitious are not justified by these results.Originality/valueThese results challenge stereotypes about Chinese women and provide information rarely examined.