Insufficient Academic Experience or Excessive Family Responsibility: Why do Female Faculty in Chinese Research Universities Publish Less than Male Faculty?

This investigation explores gender differences in faculty research productivity in Chinese research-oriented universities. Based on human capital theory and a work-family conflict research framework, this investigation identifies potential variables that influence faculty research productivity. These variables include academic experience, family responsibility, and work-family conflict. Drawing on a representative sample of faculty at the early academic career stage (N = 1013) from China’s research universities, this investigation finds a significant gender gap in faculty research productivity. Male faculty have significantly higher research productivity than female faculty. Compared to family-related variables, academic experience-related variables such as research time investment, hosting of national-level research projects, and research collaboration within and outside of a university can positively predict research productivity. Work-family conflict negatively influences faculty research productivity and plays a mediating role in the effects of academic experience variables on research productivity. The findings of this investigation advocate for gender equality policies in Chinese research universities in aid of female faculty. This investigation offers recommendations from the perspective of both female faculty and academic institutions.