Succeeding where others fail to try: A case study of diversity management in the Japanese retail sector
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explain how female promotion can help to improve organizational performance in the Japanese environment.
Design/methodology/approach
It is based on a case study of Aeon, a major Japanese retailer, which dramatically increased its percentage of female store managers through the implementation of a systematic plan with top management support.
Findings
The key finding is that the factor, which led to success, was ensuring a fit between organizational features and the plan for change. This required careful attention to existing organizational features and developing trends as well as concentrated efforts to change those features that might have been stumbling‐blocks.
Research limitations/implications
Since the study was based on a single case, future research should include longer‐term and broader studies to ensure the generalizability of the findings.
Practical implications
This study implies that diversity management can be successfully introduced in a Japanese context: managers cannot be allowed to argue that they are powerless to effect change.
Originality/value
The key value‐added is to move beyond arguing whether Japanese companies should introduce diversity and point the way to how they can do so successfully.
Keywords
Citation
Taniguchi, M. (2006), "Succeeding where others fail to try: A case study of diversity management in the Japanese retail sector", Career Development International, Vol. 11 No. 3, pp. 216-229. https://doi.org/10.1108/13620430610661740
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2006, Emerald Group Publishing Limited