Abstract

Women executives are rare in Japan. Only 1.2% of all directors of Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) listed companies are women. The important fact is that even women executives are still in the minority, they are still present. How can they reach the executive position? It is generally said that human networks significantly influence work achievements and career. Granovetter(1973) pointed that a key element of promotion factor is having wide human networks. This paper focuses how women executives made human networks. We conducted deep focus interview to the eight women executives of TSE listed companies. After having checked into the human networks possessed, we found third things. First, their networks are constructed not only in the company but also outside of company. Second, they used the advantage of minority group. Third they were influenced by their male bosses.