The role of organizational and individual-level factors for the inclusion of women managers in Japan
International Journal of Organizational Analysis
ISSN: 1934-8835
Article publication date: 22 October 2021
Issue publication date: 31 October 2023
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to analyze and contrast the role of organizational and individual level factors in influencing the effective participation of women managers in decision-making in Japanese business organizations.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative study based on 21 in-depth interviews with women and men in managerial positions in Japanese organizations is adopted.
Findings
Results show that gender equality structures and practices are not effectively institutionalized within Japanese organizations. In particular, corporate social responsibility programs are perceived by women respondents to be formally adopted to gain legitimacy in the eyes of foreign investors. However, they lack effectiveness in giving the woman manager a “voice” in business decisions. Organizational practices such as leadership development and mentoring are generally not evident in the organizations analyzed. Conversely, the personal traits of the woman manager, such as determination, self-confidence and “being able to confront men colleagues” are the factors perceived to be crucial in influencing women’s participation in decisions.
Social implications
The study suggests that to increase the weight of women managers in Japanese organizations’ decision-making, action is still needed within organizations to create a true diversity-culture. Additionally, action at the educational level has to remove women’s own self-segregation.
Originality/value
The study offers novel evidence on the “glass ceiling” in Japanese businesses by investigating whether women’s access to management positions corresponds to effective decision power. The study also highlights the key enabling factors, therefore contributing to the analysis of how to create more effective gender “diversity” within Japanese businesses.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The first author gratefully acknowledges financial support from PADME foundation and Szechenyi Istvan University, The second author gratefully acknowledges financial support from University of Catania through Piano PIACERI.
Citation
Saitova, E. and Di Mauro, C. (2023), "The role of organizational and individual-level factors for the inclusion of women managers in Japan", International Journal of Organizational Analysis, Vol. 31 No. 5, pp. 1384-1396. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOA-09-2021-2946
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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