Making career choiceA study of Chinese managers做出职业选择对中国管理者的研究.pdfVIP

Human Relations DOI: 10.1177/0018726707081661 Volume 60(8): 1211–1233 Copyright © 2007 The Tavistock Institute ® SAGE Publications Los Angeles, London, New Delhi, Singapore Making career choice: A study of Chinese managers Amy Lai Yu Wong A B S T R AC T Compared with the extensive research on managerial careers in the West, little has emerged from China and South-East Asia. This exploratory study used Schein’s concept of Career Anchors to investigate how 117 Taiwanese managers made their initial career choice and the values which shaped their subsequent careers. The findings indicate how cultural specificity and political dynamics impacted on the managers’ career experience. The Taiwanese subjects valued independence, a balanced lifestyle and entre- preneurial opportunities. The findings further indicate how career pathways can be of an individual’s own making, embracing life in its broadest aspects and not exc