Research on the Glass Ceiling Effect in China: Decomposition of Causes and Management Countermeasures

As China’s economy and labor market evolve, the “glass ceiling” phenomenon in women’s employment and promotion has drawn substantial attention, rooted in persistent patriarchal norms and structural inequalities. This study employs a quantitative approach, using a questionnaire survey of 316 respondents to analyze the existence, causes, and challenges of the glass ceiling faced by Chinese women in professional roles. This study constructs a five-dimensional model of influencing factors for the glass ceiling effect, including workplace gender discrimination, organizational culture, and support systems, policy, cultural Environment, promotion cognition bias, and work-family conflict. Women aged 35 and above, navigating concurrent career and family demands, exhibit both acute barriers and proactive coping mechanisms, such as skill enhancement and networking. The study concludes with recommendations for organizations to implement transparent promotion frameworks, flexible work policies, and gender-inclusive training alongside policy interventions aimed at reshaping cultural norms and strengthening family support systems. This research contributes to understanding gender equality challenges in emerging economies and proposes context-specific strategies to dismantle career barriers for women.