Career advancement and family balance strategies of executive women

摘要

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to explore coping strategies devised by executive women inrnfamily relationships to advance their career and to maintain career/family balance.rnDesign/methodology/approach - A qualitative methodology using a sample of 25 executivernwomen explores career advancement and career/family balance strategies within work and familyrncontexts.rnFindings - Analysis produces multiple career advancement and career/family balance strategies,rnincluding professional support, personal support, value system, and life course strategies such as thern"ordering" of career and family, negotiating spousal support, and whether to have children.rnResearch limitations/implications - Adaptive strategies facilitate engagement in career andrnfamily, even in challenging gender environments, encouraging continued research on executivernwomen's advancement and career/family balance. The idiosyncratic nature of career/family balancerncalls for greater emphasis on the context and timing of career and family experiences.rnPractical implications - The paper offers guidance to women seeking to combine executive careerrnand family and to organizations committed to the advancement and retention of women.rnOriginality/value - The paper jointly explores career advancement and career/family balancernstrategies pursued by executive women in family relationships. It contributes to a growing body ofrnresearch on the coping mechanisms and adaptive strategies underlying balance between career andrnfamily.