Western Women Working in Japan: Breaking Corporate Barriers

by Nancy K. Napier, Mary L. Taylor

Overview

Globalization demands that more employees become comfortable working outside their home country borders. Western Women Working in Japan is a research-based description of the work and living situations facing foreign professional women who work in Japan. The book draws upon detailed survey data and in-depth interviews, as well as the experiences of the authors, who have lived or worked in Japan during the last 20 years. It examines how foreign women can succeed in Japanese and foreign firms operating in Japan by describing what helps these Western women adjust to Japan and work with Japanese bosses, subordinates, and clients. These women face some different problems than men, yet are armed with special advantages.

Drawing upon past research and exploring in new directions, the authors examine the connection between women's job success and the quality of their work relationships with the Japanese, their autonomy, Japanese linguistic ability, and age. Their working relationships are also compared to male expatriates and to the women's previous jobs. The interviews provide new insights into the sexual bias and harassment they encountered and how they dealt with these issues. The book includes valuable recommendations in the areas of selection, training, support, and repatriation for both the organizations that employ foreign women in their Japanese operations and for the women themselves.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780899309019
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	09/30/1995
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.62(d)

About the Author

NANCY K. NAPIER, Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs at Boise State University, worked for several years at Battelle Memorial Institute in contract research for Nissan, Hitachi, Mitsubishi, and Nippon Steel. She has taught and done research in the areas of strategic and human resource management, international management, and mergers and acquisition implementation. Her most recent research has been done in Europe, Japan, Southeast Asia, and Vietnam.

SULLY TAYLOR is an Assistant Professor of International Management at the School of Business Administration, Portland State University, and has taught in Spain and Japan. She has conducted cross-cultural training for NEC, Fujitsu, DEC, Aldus, and others. Her specialty is international human resource management and Japanese management.

Table of Contents

Tables and Figures
Preface
Acknowledgments
Wanted: Adventurers for the Next Century
Foreign Professional Women in Japan: The Realities
What Next for Foreign Professional Women?
Appendix A
Appendix B
Appendix C
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

Based on surveys, in-depth interviews, and years of personal experience, examines the working and housing conditions of western women working in Japan. Passes on hints on how to get along with Japanese bosses, subordinates, and clients; the role of work relationships, autonomy, linguistic ability, and age in success; insights into sexual bias and harassment; and the challenges and advantages women do not share with their male counterparts. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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