Managerial Careers in Thailand and Japan: Revisiting Internal Labor Markets and Womenomics Second Edition

Index, 40 Tables, 32 Figures, 5 Appendices

Why do some organizations consistently produce outstanding leaders while others struggle to develop managerial talent? In this landmark comparative study, Natenapha Wailerdsak examines how managerial careers are built in Thailand and Japan through the institutional logic of internal labor markets, promotion systems, corporate governance, and organizational culture. Drawing on extensive empirical research, the book reveals how different career structures shape not only individual advancement but also organizational performance and long-term competitiveness.

This fully revised and expanded second edition revisits the original framework in light of profound economic and social change. Two new chapters on womenomics explore how leadership opportunities are influenced by gender, family responsibilities, and organizational institutions, asking not only how managers are developed, but who is given the opportunity to become one.

Bringing together more than two decades of scholarship, this edition offers a fresh perspective on leadership, diversity, and the future of managerial careers in Asia.

For scholars, students, business leaders, and policymakers, Managerial Careers in Thailand and Japan remains an essential reference for understanding how organizations identify, develop, and promote the leaders who shape tomorrow’s economy.

About the Author

NATENAPHA WAILERDSAK is a Professor at Thammasat Business School, Thammasat University. A specialist in Asian business systems and corporate governance, her research focuses on managerial careers, talent management, and gender diversity in Thailand and Japan.