Triggers and gender-specific effects of queen bee syndrome in hotels in China

The current study examines the conditions conducive to the development of queen bee syndrome (QBS) in the hospitality industry and its differential impacts on male and female subordinates’ job satisfaction, career advancement perceptions, and turnover intentions. Data collected from 446 full-time hospitality employees in Mainland China revealed significant main effects of team gender distribution and leadership gender representation on QBS perceptions. Additionally, multigroup analysis confirmed QBS’s negative associations with job satisfaction and career advancement, and a positive link to turnover intention, with stronger effects for females. Findings extend QBS research to female-dominated sectors, highlighting gender-specific vulnerabilities.