Jin Cao

Jin is from China and holds a BA in Tourism Management and an MSc in International Hospitality and Tourism Management. Jin's research focuses on a significant challenge faced by women in male-dominated professions, particularly early in their careers, which often obstructs their advancement to managerial roles. This obstacle, known as “the broken rung,” hinders progress. Jin investigates women’s gender inequality experiences, their psychological impacts, and coping strategies to overcome this hurdle. In the hospitality sector, a deficiency of women in leadership roles is observed at both corporate and operational levels, reflecting broader industry trends. Operational roles such as hotel general managers, executive chefs, chief engineers, and chief security officers exhibit pronounced gender imbalances. Jin's study explores the subtle psychological effects of this inequality, women's adaptive strategies, and the organisational policies and support mechanisms required for its effective mitigation.