Wang, X; Du, M; Li, H X; Hasan, A and Ahmadian Fard Fini, A (2025) Gender inequality and challenges of women in the construction industry: An evidenced-based analysis from China. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 32(13), pp. 213-233. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose: This research aims to provide an evidence-based depiction of women's participation and career progression in China's construction industry, based on the analysis of the labour force data collected from the National Bureau of Statistics of China for the period 2010–2022 and a representative construction enterprise case study. Design/methodology/approach: An overarching research method of case study with literature review, descriptive statistics, and literature comparison was implemented to achieve the research aim. Based on data-driven analysis, the theory of systemic, structural gender discrimination and inequality (SSGDI) is also systematically examined in the Chinese construction industry. Findings: The study highlights significant gender inequality in China's construction industry, with women under-represented in managerial and professional roles, facing higher recruitment standards, limited working hours, fewer promotion opportunities and difficulty attaining senior management positions despite higher educational attainment. The SSGDI in the construction industry has perpetuated gender bias, limiting the recruitment, promotion and recognition of women. Originality/value: Based on critical evidence, this study examines SSGDI in the Chinese construction industry through theoretical lenses and data-driven analysis. It provides underlying evidence for the phenomenon and offers insights into women's recruitment and career development in the male-dominated construction industry. The findings can inform gender equality policies and practices and promote gender equality in the construction industry in China and elsewhere.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction industry; gender bias; gender discrimination; gender inequality; male-dominated workplaces; women |
| Index terms: | promotion, case study, gender discrimination, recruitment, statistics, construction industry, women, inequality, gender equality, literature review, labour force, China, evidence, bias, career, working hours, methodology |
| Subjects: | sociology, industry analysis, management, economics, employment law, professional development, probability and distributions, data analysis and analytics, data collection methods, mathematical modelling, social justice, professional ethics, research methods, Geography, evaluation and assessment methods |
| Topics: | Ethics, Supply Chain Management, Legal Issues, Geographical Context, Human Resources, Research Practice, Information Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here