posted on 2023-08-30, 16:51authored byNikoletta Molnar
This thesis focuses on the experiences of non-Japanese women, who had been
working in Japan in the last ten years. The study discusses theories regarding the
challenges women face in the workplace, reviews the literature about the Japanese
working culture and expatriation in Japan. It also highlights the obstacles, foreign
women faced at work in Japan and the enablers, which supported their adjustment
and career development.
This research is exploratory, phenomenological and adopts a subjective, constructionist
- interpretivist research paradigm. The primary data was collected qualitatively
through twelve phenomenological interviews with primarily self-initiated expatriates.
The interviews reveal four significant challenges non-Japanese women face in
Japan: (1) the Japanese working culture, especially long working hours and hierarchy,
(2) limited career chances due to gender-stereotyping, (3) expectations of the
Japanese, how a woman should behave and what her role in the society is, regardless
of her nationality, and (4) challenges to combine career and family. The four
most important advantages and enablers, which helped non-Japanese women were
(1) knowing the Japanese language and the culture, which supported them in adjustment
and increased their career chances, (2) foreigner card or acting as a non-
Japanese, giving them a temporary opportunity to ignore the Japanese behavioural
rules, (3) support from their boss, helping their adjustment in Japan, and (4) mentoring
and networking, especially with the international management to increase their
career chances.
This study contributes to knowledge by narrowing the gap in the international human
resource management (IHRM) literature about the experiences of self-initiated expatriate
women, who had been working in Japan. The thesis closes with practical recommendations
and ideas for future research.
History
Institution
Anglia Ruskin University
File version
Accepted version
Language
eng
Thesis name
PhD
Thesis type
Doctoral
Legacy posted date
2020-01-02
Legacy creation date
2020-01-02
Legacy Faculty/School/Department
Theses from Anglia Ruskin University/Lord Ashcroft International Business School