An Investigation on the Career Experiences of Women in China's Construction Industry to Explore Leadership Identity Construction

Abstract

China’s construction industry is fast soaring propelled by urbanisation, economic expansion and big infrastructure projects. But women still struggle to build leadership identities in male-dominated work environments. This study, therefore, explored how women in the Chinese construction industry construct their leadership identities and how they gain authority, recognition and influence in their organisations. A qualitative research method and phenomenological design were employed to obtain a deeper understanding of women’s leadership experiences. Data were collected from semi-structured interviews with women who occupy leadership and executive positions in a range of construction-related occupational activities in China. The results revealed that resilience, adaptability and strategic networking were needed to significantly influence leadership identity construction. It was discovered that the professional networking, mentorship relationships and involvement in women-focused industry forums were significant approaches to boost leadership confidence, visibility and career growth. The study also found that leadership identity is defined by a continuing process of negotiating expectations in the workplace, challenging gendered preconceptions and building supportive professional relationships. The findings add to a more holistic understanding of the development of women’s leadership identity in the construction industry and emphasise the importance of organisational policies supporting mentoring, networking and inclusive work conditions. The findings of this study have practical implications for organisations to enhance gender diversity and allow women leaders to perform well in the construction sector in China.