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A STUDY FOCUSING ON THE PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUNDS OF WOMEN IN CHINA'S CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TO DETERMINE THE DISTINCTIVE PATH OF LEADERSHIP | International Journal of Advances in Business and Management Research (IJABMR)
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Articles
DOI: 10.62674/ijabmr.2026.v4i01.002
Published: 2026-09-12

A STUDY FOCUSING ON THE PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUNDS OF WOMEN IN CHINA'S CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TO DETERMINE THE DISTINCTIVE PATH OF LEADERSHIP

Lincoln University College, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor D. E., Malaysia
Lincoln University College, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor D. E., Malaysia
Career Experiences Construction Industry Gender Barriers Leadership Development Women leadership

Abstract

The construction sector of China, being a major contributor to the Chinese economy, has been growing rapidly, creating new opportunities for leadership over the years. Women are increasingly participating in this industry, but they remain marginalised from occupying higher leadership positions. The study focused on the whole journey of women’s leadership and examined the experiences they gathered throughout their career paths. Specifically, the research highlighted the advantages of the leadership of women and the organisational, cultural, and structural barriers which are encountered by female leaders. Data for the research were collected through semi-structured interviews with women leaders working in various sectors of the construction industry and a qualitative approach was used to analyse the data. A purposive sampling technique was used to choose respondents to verify their related professional records. The acquired information was examined by thematic analysis for recurring themes and trends. The outcomes of the study showed that male-oriented organisational cultures, insufficient promotional opportunities, gender-related myths, and lack of mentorship were the major challenges faced by the women leaders. Respondents also addressed these problems by adopting flexibility, having work spirit, and devotion to their profession, all of which helped them to progress as good leaders. The findings led to the conclusion that a combination of sociocultural pattern, organisational, and individual circumstances determines women’s leadership pathways in China's construction sector. The results highlighted the importance of fair organisational policies, and justice for women in the workplace to promote gender equality and leadership roles in the construction industry of China.

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How to Cite

WEI, L., & Gaire , K. (2026). A STUDY FOCUSING ON THE PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUNDS OF WOMEN IN CHINA’S CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TO DETERMINE THE DISTINCTIVE PATH OF LEADERSHIP. International Journal of Advances in Business and Management Research (IJABMR), 4(1), 15–25. https://doi.org/10.62674/ijabmr.2026.v4i01.002

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Journal title

International Journal of Advances in Business and Management Research (IJABMR)

ISSN (online)

2584-1718

Publisher's name

Swami Vivekananda Global Academy, India

Established Since

2023

Email Id

info@ijabmresearch.org

DOI Prefix

10.62674/ijabmr

Peer Review

Double Anonymous Peer Review

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CC BY-NC-ND

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Yes

 

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