Emerging mid-career transformation in Japan

Abstract

Changes in the economic environment and labour market in Japan in recent years have generated greater opportunities for mid-career transformation. This study investigates the reasons and factors influencing the transformation and career success, the competencies required and the challenges and possible improvements for mid-career transformation in a non-western country, namely Japan, which has different cultural traditions and social and organisational norms. The findings show that these issues are influenced by contextual environments as well as organizational and individual factors. The findings also establish an empirical basis for a framework based on ‘multi-factor interaction’ influencing successful mid-career transformation.