Gendered executive headhunting with Chinese characteristics

Abstract

Women executives face many barriers to career advancement, which then limits the advancement of women lower down the hierarchy. This study looks at the secretive and elite world of executive search (headhunting) as a gatekeeping system that hinders women's career advancement in China. Interviews were carried out with headhunters in China, including two in Taiwan to test transferability. Findings of this study show that executive women in China face more stark barriers than their western peers. Headhunters report little influence over clients, but they help profile jobs that emphasize technical and masculine views of leadership, ‘fit’ and ‘chemistry’ in hiring decisions, reinforce stereotypes, and do not support candidates. Our findings reflect the convergence of Confucianism, a highly competitive economic model, and a closed political system with limited space to promote women's interests. Headhunting, an imported practice, illuminates western individualist models of feminism rather than China's traditional collectivism and local models of feminism.