The Making of Female University Presidents in China

The Making of Female University Presidents in China

Kai Yu Yinhan Wang The Making of Female University Presidents in China 123

Kai Yu Graduate School of Education Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai China Yinhan Wang Graduate School of Education Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai China ISBN 978-981-10-7226-0 ISBN 978-981-10-7227-7 (ebook) https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-7227-7 Jointly published with Shanghai Jiao Tong University Press. The print edition is not for sale in China Mainland. Customers from China Mainland please order the print book from: Shanghai Jiao Tong University Press. Library of Congress Control Number: 2017958734 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. and Shanghai Jiao Tong University Press 2018 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved by the Publishers, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publishers, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publishers nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. The publishers remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Printed on acid-free paper This Springer imprint is published by Springer Nature The registered company is Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. The registered company address is: 152 Beach Road, #21-01/04 Gateway East, Singapore 189721, Singapore

Contents 1 Introduction... 1 1.1 Background... 1 1.2 Research Origin... 3 1.3 Research Purpose... 3 1.4 Research Value... 4 1.4.1 Theoretical Value... 4 1.4.2 Practical Value... 4 1.5 Definition of Core Concepts... 5 1.5.1 Glass Ceiling... 5 1.5.2 Leadership... 6 1.5.3 Group Characteristics... 6 1.6 Literature Review... 7 1.6.1 Women s Professions and Power... 7 1.6.2 Women s Leadership... 9 1.6.3 Obstacles to Women s Professional Development... 11 1.6.4 Measures Supporting Women s Status... 13 1.6.5 Group Characteristics of University Leaders... 16 1.6.6 Women Leaders in Chinese Universities... 17 1.7 Summary of the Literature Review... 19 1.8 Research Design and Methods... 19 1.8.1 Overall Design... 19 1.8.2 Research Questions... 20 1.8.3 Research Subjects... 20 1.8.4 Research Methods... 21 1.9 Technical Road Map... 24 1.9.1 Data Collection... 24 1.9.2 Data Analysis... 24 v

vi Contents 1.10 Validity and Reliability... 25 1.10.1 Validity... 25 1.10.2 Reliability... 26 1.11 Ethical Issues... 26 1.12 Innovations, Challenges, and Limitations... 27 1.12.1 Innovations... 27 1.12.2 Challenges... 27 1.12.3 Limitations... 28 References... 28 2 Data... 35 2.1 Basic Information... 35 2.2 Educational Background... 39 2.3 Academic Titles and Honors... 40 2.4 International Experience... 40 2.5 Work Experience and Promotion Method... 40 References... 41 3 Group Characteristics of Female Leaders... 43 3.1 Basic Information... 43 3.1.1 Gender Ratio... 43 3.1.2 Institutions... 43 3.1.3 Positions... 44 3.1.4 Duties... 44 3.1.5 Age... 46 3.1.6 Ethnicity... 50 3.1.7 Political Affiliation... 50 3.1.8 Service Mobility... 52 3.2 Educational Background... 52 3.2.1 Highest Degree Earned... 52 3.3 Academic Background... 54 3.3.1 Academic Titles and Honors... 54 3.3.2 Research Area... 56 3.4 International Experience... 57 3.5 Work Experience and Promotion Method... 58 3.6 Results... 61 3.6.1 Group Differences Between Male and Female Leaders... 62 3.6.2 Similarities Between Male and Female Leaders... 65 References... 66 4 Differences in Female Leader Characteristics by College and University Type... 69 4.1 Basic Information... 70 4.1.1 Age... 70 4.1.2 Ethnicity... 72

Contents vii 4.1.3 Political Affiliation... 73 4.1.4 Positions... 73 4.1.5 Duties... 77 4.1.6 Service Mobility... 77 4.2 Educational Background... 80 4.2.1 Highest Degree Earned... 80 4.2.2 Graduation Institutions... 80 4.3 Academic Background... 82 4.4 International Experience... 84 4.5 Work Experience and Promotion Method... 84 4.6 Results... 88 4.6.1 The Vertical Differences in Female Leadership at Different Schools... 88 4.6.2 Non-vertical Differences in Female Leadership at Different Schools... 89 References... 89 5 Differences in the Female Leadership Characteristics of Different Positions... 91 5.1 Basic Information... 91 5.1.1 Ages... 91 5.1.2 Institutions... 93 5.1.3 Duties... 94 5.1.4 Ethnicity... 94 5.1.5 Political Affiliation... 94 5.1.6 Service Mobility... 97 5.2 Educational Background... 97 5.2.1 Highest Degree... 97 5.2.2 Graduation Institutions... 97 5.3 Academic Background... 101 5.3.1 Academic Titles... 101 5.3.2 Research Area... 103 5.4 International Experience... 103 5.5 Work Experience and Promotion Method... 105 5.6 Results... 107 5.6.1 Horizontal Differences in Female Leadership Characteristics by Position... 107 5.6.2 Similarities in Female Leadership Characteristics Across Different Positions... 108 References... 108

viii Contents 6 Differences in the Characteristics of Female Leaders in Relation to Their Different Duties... 109 6.1 Basic Information... 109 6.1.1 Age... 109 6.1.2 Institutions... 111 6.1.3 Positions... 111 6.1.4 Ethnicity... 114 6.1.5 Service Mobility... 114 6.2 Education Background... 114 6.2.1 Highest Degree... 114 6.2.2 Graduation Institutions... 118 6.3 Academic Background... 118 6.3.1 Academic Titles... 118 6.3.2 Research Area... 120 6.4 International Experience... 120 6.5 Work Experience and Promotion Method... 122 6.6 Results... 124 6.6.1 Horizontal Differences in the Characteristics of Female Leaders with Different Duties... 124 6.6.2 Similarities in the Characteristics of Female Leaders with Different Duties... 125 7 An Analysis of the Factors Affecting the Development of Female Leadership... 127 7.1 Exploring the Reasons Behind Bottlenecks Facing Female Leaders... 127 7.1.1 Analysis of Factors Influencing the School Hierarchy... 128 7.1.2 Analysis of the Factors Affecting Leaders Positions... 130 7.1.3 An Analysis of the Factors Affecting the Distribution of Duties... 132 7.1.4 Summary of Reasons... 133 7.2 Exploring the Reasons for Female Leaders Success... 137 7.2.1 Objective Factors... 137 7.2.2 Subjective Factors... 137 References... 144 8 Discussion and Reflection... 147 8.1 Professional Women Who Are Standing at the Precipice of a New Era... 147 8.1.1 National Gender Policy and the Evolution of the Concept of Gender Equality... 147 8.1.2 Overall Improvement in the Education and Academic Level of Women... 148

Contents ix 8.1.3 Changes in Time Allocation and Family Division of Labor... 149 8.1.4 The Change in Female Self-cognition... 150 8.2 The Significance of Selecting and Appointing Female Leaders... 151 8.2.1 The Selection and Appointment of Females to Participate in the Management of Colleges and Universities Is a Realistic Demand if Society Is to Achieve Social Equality and Social-Balanced Development, Which Will Help to Create a Harmonious Educational Ecology... 151 8.2.2 Appointing Women as School Leaders and Optimizing the Proportion and Structure of Female Leadership Will Help Optimize the Quality of Decision Making of University Management... 152 8.2.3 Selection and Appointment of Women Can Give Full Play to the Value of Human Capital and Optimize the Allocation of Human Resources... 152 8.2.4 The Higher the Proportion of Women in Leadership Positions, the More They Will Help Reduce Corruption and Avoid Risks... 153 8.2.5 Putting More Women in Leadership Positions at Universities Will Enhance Women s Self-Confidence, Set a Good Example for Women s Career Development, and Promote the Growth of Female Groups in Higher Education... 154 8.3 Research Thinking and Enlightenment... 154 8.3.1 From Women s Point of View, Quality Is a Prerequisite for Success... 155 8.3.2 The Social Mechanism of Equality in Society as a Whole Is a Guarantee of Women s Participation in Management... 155 References... 157