Can She Have It All? Professional Image Maintenance as a Shield Against Supervisors' Maternal Bias

Yujie Yin; Erica Xu; Xu Huang

doi:10.5465/AMPROC.2026.12975abstract

Can She Have It All? Professional Image Maintenance as a Shield Against Supervisors' Maternal Bias

Yujie Yin
, Erica Xu
, Xu Huang

Department of Management, Marketing and Information Systems

Research output: Chapter in book/report/conference proceeding › Conference proceeding › peer-review

Abstract

This study examines how working mothers manage motherhood bias in workplace evaluations through social identity–based impression management (SIM) strategies—specifically, image maintenance and decategorization—to enhance perceived fit with supervisors’ implicit followership theories (IFTs). Results show image maintenance is more effective than decategorization in improving perceived IFT fit and promotability, with political skill as a critical interpersonal competency that enhances the credibility and influence of working mothers’ impression management efforts.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Academy of Management Proceedings 2026
Editors	Sonia Taneja
Publisher	Academy of Management
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.5465/AMPROC.2026.12975abstract
Publication status	Published - 1 Jul 2026
Event	86th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management, AOM 2026 - Philadelphia, United States Duration: 31 Jul 2026 → 4 Aug 2026 https://www.aom.org/events/aom-annual-meeting-navigator/ (Link to conference programme)

Publication series

Name	Academy of Management Proceedings
Publisher	Academy of Management
Number	1
Volume	2026
ISSN (Print)	0065-0668
ISSN (Electronic)	2151-6561

Conference

Conference	86th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management, AOM 2026
Country/Territory	United States
City	Philadelphia
Period	31/07/26 → 4/08/26
Internet address	https://www.aom.org/events/aom-annual-meeting-navigator/ (Link to conference programme)

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth

Access to Document

10.5465/AMPROC.2026.12975abstract

Cite this

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title = "Can She Have It All? Professional Image Maintenance as a Shield Against Supervisors' Maternal Bias",

abstract = "This study examines how working mothers manage motherhood bias in workplace evaluations through social identity–based impression management (SIM) strategies—specifically, image maintenance and decategorization—to enhance perceived fit with supervisors{\textquoteright} implicit followership theories (IFTs). Results show image maintenance is more effective than decategorization in improving perceived IFT fit and promotability, with political skill as a critical interpersonal competency that enhances the credibility and influence of working mothers{\textquoteright} impression management efforts.",

author = "Yujie Yin and Erica Xu and Xu Huang",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2026, Academy of Management. All rights reserved.; 86th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management, AOM 2026 ; Conference date: 31-07-2026 Through 04-08-2026",

year = "2026",

month = jul,

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doi = "10.5465/AMPROC.2026.12975abstract",

language = "English",

series = "Academy of Management Proceedings",

publisher = "Academy of Management",

number = "1",

editor = "Sonia Taneja",

booktitle = "Academy of Management Proceedings 2026",

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url = "https://www.aom.org/events/aom-annual-meeting-navigator/",

}

Yin, Y, Xu, E & Huang, X 2026, Can She Have It All? Professional Image Maintenance as a Shield Against Supervisors' Maternal Bias. in S Taneja (ed.), Academy of Management Proceedings 2026. Academy of Management Proceedings, no. 1, vol. 2026, Academy of Management, 86th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management, AOM 2026, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 31/07/26. https://doi.org/10.5465/AMPROC.2026.12975abstract

Can She Have It All? Professional Image Maintenance as a Shield Against Supervisors' Maternal Bias. / Yin, Yujie; Xu, Erica ; Huang, Xu.
Academy of Management Proceedings 2026. ed. / Sonia Taneja. Academy of Management, 2026. (Academy of Management Proceedings; Vol. 2026, No. 1).

Research output: Chapter in book/report/conference proceeding › Conference proceeding › peer-review

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AU - Xu, Erica

AU - Huang, Xu

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N2 - This study examines how working mothers manage motherhood bias in workplace evaluations through social identity–based impression management (SIM) strategies—specifically, image maintenance and decategorization—to enhance perceived fit with supervisors’ implicit followership theories (IFTs). Results show image maintenance is more effective than decategorization in improving perceived IFT fit and promotability, with political skill as a critical interpersonal competency that enhances the credibility and influence of working mothers’ impression management efforts.

AB - This study examines how working mothers manage motherhood bias in workplace evaluations through social identity–based impression management (SIM) strategies—specifically, image maintenance and decategorization—to enhance perceived fit with supervisors’ implicit followership theories (IFTs). Results show image maintenance is more effective than decategorization in improving perceived IFT fit and promotability, with political skill as a critical interpersonal competency that enhances the credibility and influence of working mothers’ impression management efforts.

U2 - 10.5465/AMPROC.2026.12975abstract

DO - 10.5465/AMPROC.2026.12975abstract

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PB - Academy of Management

T2 - 86th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management, AOM 2026

Y2 - 31 July 2026 through 4 August 2026

ER -

Can She Have It All? Professional Image Maintenance as a Shield Against Supervisors' Maternal Bias

Abstract

Publication series

Conference

UN SDGs

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