Abstract
This study considered the environment to support career development for workers in Japanese enterprises from the viewpoint of 'Legitimate Peripheral Participation'. Career development in this study is defined as acquirement of ideas and attitudes, which consists of identities on careers, motivations for career development and awareness of profession. While the importance of career development has been recognized, the environment to support career development is not well understood. In this study questionnaire survey and interviews are conducted for Japanese workers on their attitudes toward career and participation in communities of practice. The survey showed that reflection and participation in communities of practice will facilitate their career development. Especially, 'boundary crossing' and participation in 'emergent' communities of practice, where activities were consciously designed for member's diversity, were important. These results are useful for creating environments to support career development.
