Managers’ professional trajectory in the textile industry—assessing career advancement, work-family practices, recognition, and work performance

Understanding the dynamics of Career Advancement and Work Performance in the textile industry is crucial for addressing evolving workforce needs. This study analyzes cross-sectional data from 968 managers in Jiangsu province, China, to examine how career advancement impacts work performance through mediating factors such as work-family practices and recognition. Key findings reveal that career advancement enhances work performance, with Achievement Recognition and Work-Family Practices serving as significant mediators. Gender moderates both the direct and indirect effects, indicating disparities in how males and females benefit from career advancement opportunities. Notably, females gain less from organizational politics compared to males, highlighting critical equity issues. These results underscore the importance of integrating family-supportive practices and equitable recognition systems into organizational strategies, offering actionable insights for improving performance and gender inclusivity in the textile sector.