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Violation and activation of gender expectations: Do Chinese managerial women face a narrow band of acceptable career guanxi strategies?

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  • Yunxia Zhu

    (University of Queensland)

  • Alison M. Konrad

    (Western University)

  • Hao Jiao

    (Beijing Normal University)

Abstract

We proposed a conceptual model arguing that stereotype violation and stereotype activation combine to create a narrow band of acceptable career strategies for women in management. Utilizing a sample of 324 Chinese managers (162 pairs of women and men matched on education, years of work experience, and employing organization), we examined the effects of gender on three career development outcomes: number of subordinates supervised, life satisfaction, and career satisfaction. Results indicated that being female had a significant negative main effect on all three outcomes. Ten significant interactions supported the theoretical effects of both stereotype violation and activation on women’s managerial career development, consistent with our conceptual model. The findings suggest that Chinese women in management face a narrow band of acceptable career strategies, especially in the area of creating social capital. The results highlight the importance of testing both stereotype violation and stereotype activation effects and of creating social capital through appropriate networking.

Suggested Citation

  • Yunxia Zhu & Alison M. Konrad & Hao Jiao, 2016. "Violation and activation of gender expectations: Do Chinese managerial women face a narrow band of acceptable career guanxi strategies?," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 33(1), pages 53-86, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:asiapa:v:33:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1007_s10490-015-9435-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s10490-015-9435-y
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    Cited by:

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    2. Clyde Eiríkur Hull & Zhi Tang & Jintong Tang & Jun Yang, 2020. "Information diversity and innovation for born-globals," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 37(4), pages 1039-1060, December.
    3. Vijayta Doshi & Satyam Mukherjee & Yang Yang, 2023. "Network centrality and negative ties in feminine and masculine occupations," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 40(1), pages 243-264, March.
    4. Bahman Paul Ebrahimi & Sandra A. Young, 2023. "Managerial motivation in China: replication and extension of miner’s hierarchical role motivation theory," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 73(1), pages 91-112, February.
    5. Peter A. Murray & Kim Southey, 2020. "Can institutionalized workplace structures benefit senior women leaders?," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 37(4), pages 1193-1216, December.
    6. Hongjuan Zhang & Rong Han & Liang Wang & Runhui Lin, 2021. "Social capital in China: a systematic literature review," Asian Business & Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 20(1), pages 32-77, February.
    7. Qin Su & Dora C. Lau & Grace M. Poon & Lynn M. Shore, 2023. "Team Diversity in Chinese Organizations: A Review and a Qualitative Study," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 40(3), pages 953-993, September.
    8. Fang Lee Cooke, 2023. "Changing Lens: Broadening the Research Agenda of Women in Management in China," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 184(2), pages 375-389, May.
    9. Hongjuan Zhang & Rong Han & Liang Wang & Runhui Lin, 0. "Social capital in China: a systematic literature review," Asian Business & Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 0, pages 1-46.
    10. Erin H. Kao & Ho-Chuan Huang & Hung-Gay Fung & Xiaojian Liu, 2020. "Co-opted directors, gender diversity, and crash risk: evidence from China," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 55(2), pages 461-500, August.

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