Managing careers: experiences of successful women in the Chinese IT industry

Abstract

Purpose

This paper seeks to examine the career experiences of seven women who have developed successful careers in the Chinese information technology (IT) industry, focusing on the way they managed their careers and the implications this has for women's career theory in China.

Design/methodology/approach

Personal narrative method is used to explore the women's cumulated experiences of career management in order to draw out their feelings and attitudes.

Findings

Findings demonstrated convergence between western career theory and the situation of these successful Chinese women in IT, especially in family/career role management. Nevertheless, the paper argues that deeply embedded values in China encourage a rejection of planning and proactivity in women's career management resulting in a lack of applicability of western theory.

Research limitations/implications

Findings are based on a small sample size. Personal narrative method is highly subjective and “contaminated” by selective recall of information due to the deterioration or concealment of certain key factors. However, this finding in itself contains interesting implications for international career research.

Practical implications

The career experiences of these women could provide role‐modelling to other women who are also pursuing careers in the IT industry in China.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the developing discourse of women's career experiences within Chinese society. It highlights constraints and limitations of applying western models and traditional research techniques. It advocates a broad, contextualised approach that incorporates a stronger emphasis on internal and social values.

Citation

Xian, H. and Woodhams, C. (2008), "Managing careers: experiences of successful women in the Chinese IT industry", Gender in Management, Vol. 23 No. 6, pp. 409-425. https://doi.org/10.1108/17542410810897535