Journal of Women and Minorities in Science and Engineering

ISSN for PRINT: 1072-8325

For Online Access

Best Paper Award Selection - Editorial Board Site

2006, Volume12

Issue 4

138 pages

DOI: 10.1615/JWomenMinorScienEng.v12.i4

Issue price - $45.00

Lloyd L. Wong
Department of Sociology, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB, Canada T2N 1N4

Carol Wong
University of Calgary, Canada

This paper answers the following three research questions: a) Are the Chinese in Canada a model minority? b) Does a glass ceiling exist for Chinese engineers in Canada? 3) What are Chinese engineers' perceptions and actual experiences of the glass ceiling? The data utilized to answer these questions come from the 2001 Census of Canada and a mail survey to Chinese engineers who graduated from the University of Calgary. The findings indicate that the model minority thesis has limited applicability to the Chinese in Canada. When Chinese scientists and engineers' incomes are examined, there is a much lower return to their education and their experience when compared to Whites, which points to their under-representation in higher paying management positions and the existence of a glass ceiling. The survey findings show that most of the respondents perceive a glass ceiling and that a sizable proportion have personally experienced hitting the glass ceiling and/or have known other Chinese engineers who have. The paper ends with a discussion of the obstacles identified by respondents that prevent them from being promoted into and within management level positions.

DOI: 10.1615/JWomenMinorScienEng.v12.i4.10 Download article, 253-273 pages

Article price - $35.00

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