The Perception of Chinese Higher Educators Toward Leadership Effectiveness in Regard to Gender

• In Event: Inclusive Leadership Education: Considering Gender in What We Teach and Practice

Short Description

This study examined followers’ perceptions of effective leadership behaviors in order to determine how Chinese higher educators define effectiveness and whether there is a correlation between perception and a leader’s gender. Factors considered included conscious and unconscious gender bias, Chinese culture, and identity.

Detailed Abstract

This study examines follower’s perception of effective leadership behaviors in order to determine how Chinese higher educators defines effectiveness and whether there is a correlation between perception and leaders’ gender. Statistics show that Chinese men outnumber women by 33 million after decades of gender bias and One Child Policy in 2014 (Wikipedia, 2001). Women face more difficulties, competition, and challenges in the workplace because of the imbalance of gender, especially for the next generation. Historically, culture has a significant impact on gender differences and bias.

China, as a country rooted in Confucianism, and has developed a male-dominated culture. The philosophy of Confucianism for human relations sets males as the center of the world (Leung, 2003). One of the principles of Confucianism regarding the sexual division of labor is that men take the roles outside the home, and women take the role inside the home. According to Confucianism, virtuous femininity equates to being a good wife and mother inside the home. Women are not expected to have a role outside the home. This standard of virtuousness in Confucianism still deeply influences the Chinese definition of “good woman” in modern times.

In recent Chinese history, women’s social and family status have undergone major changes, especially after the Mao era and Deng’s Economic Reform. However, changes of women’s social status have not been discussed from a leadership perspective. A woman’s immediate concerns in the workplace conflicts with an unconscious prejudice due to the ingrained paternalistic culture. The lack of studies may increase misunderstanding among male leaders, female leaders, and subordinates. Additionally, the recent social change may influence people’s perception of female leaders as it has influenced women’s status.

This study investigates how the Chinese higher educators view their leaders’ effectiveness in regard to gender. This study focuses on whether gender has an impact on subordinates’ perception on leadership effectiveness in Chinese higher education. Understanding gender’s impact in leadership roles will help leaders to acknowledge whether there are conscious and unconscious gender bias, how subordinates who have different identities view them differently, and how to be more effective in order to satisfied their subordinates. To be aware of perceptions can help Chinese women to develop their fullest potential and succeed in leadership roles. This will also help both men and women leaders emphasize their strengths and recognize their weaknesses, especially from the subordinates’ perspectives. A follower’s perceptions are important to determine whether a leader’s performance is effective or not. The study will also provide a basic knowledge regarding gender differences of leadership roles in Chinese higher education and how Chinses higher educators perceptive the gender difference.

Hypotheses
The research question was developed based on a selective literature review of the impact of gender on perceptions of effective leadership behaviors in Chinese culture. This study seeks to understand Chinese higher educators’ perceptions of leaders’ effectiveness in regard to gender.

The hypotheses are derived from the problem and purpose statements and addressed below.
H1: Both male and female higher educators perceive male leaders as more effective.
H2: A leader’s gender has an impact on Chinese higher educator’s perception of leadership effectiveness.
H3: There is a significant difference among the leadership practices of Chinese higher education based on gender: female leaders are perceived as better than male counterparts at Enabling Others to Act and Encouraging the Heart.

Participant

• Kanglei Meng, Western Kentucky University