This BA thesis analyses the relation between the gig economy and Japanese gender roles that influence women’s career opportunities in Japan. For a long time, separate social duties between men and...Show moreThis BA thesis analyses the relation between the gig economy and Japanese gender roles that influence women’s career opportunities in Japan. For a long time, separate social duties between men and women have led to the exclusion of Japanese women from particular careers and opportunities. Nowadays, the lack of women within Japan’s workforce is problematic to economic growth, and the gig economy might be a promising avenue for women to contribute to the economy. Through conducting case studies on the experiences of Japanese women engaged in gig work, this thesis reveals some of the issues and complications that accompany online employment relations for Japanese women. The results show that gig work does not address the main inadequacies that complicate women’s careers and work-life balance within Japanese society. Therefore, Japanese women looking to find aspiring and refreshing employment in the digital realm might come to find that online work does not offer them a getaway from women’s traditional social duties and career options.Show less
The reality of a shrinking labor market as the population is aging and birthrate is declining in Japan, is asking for more female participation. Changing economic demands and working conditions is...Show moreThe reality of a shrinking labor market as the population is aging and birthrate is declining in Japan, is asking for more female participation. Changing economic demands and working conditions is leading to an increasing number of double-income families. It is creating variety in the gender roles and contributing to a new order. A study of ten qualitative interviews was conducted to examine the working conditions and experiences of working mothers in Tokyo. The case study shows that working mothers are facing three main challenges when trying to find a work-life balance: (1) time management, (2) high responsibility of work within the household and (3) working culture that impacts career. The case study of this thesis gives an insightful assessment of policies, what they do and do not address. Analyzing narratives and understanding how mothers approach their working situation and lifestyle is an important element in discussing the work-family balance to clarify remaining issues in working culture. It turns out that informal resources and strategies are important to overcome or deal with the challenges, as formal policies still seem to lack in addressing part of the core labor issues and remaining gender inequality.Show less
This paper examines the women’s formal employment in the Tunisian economy during the period 1990-2010. This is done by a cross-sectoral analysis in various economic sectors. This thesis reflects...Show moreThis paper examines the women’s formal employment in the Tunisian economy during the period 1990-2010. This is done by a cross-sectoral analysis in various economic sectors. This thesis reflects not only on trends in the Tunisian labour market in regards to females, but it takes into account different industries and why or why not females have integrated into them. Furthermore, features of each industry in regards to women are described. Developments such as the type of working contracts, hours of work, wages, the social status of the given job, required skill sets and educational attainments are considered in this analysis.Show less
These days, all industrialized countries in the world have some kind of law implemented targeting women's rights on the job market. Yet the wage gap as well as 4other hurdles remain despite these...Show moreThese days, all industrialized countries in the world have some kind of law implemented targeting women's rights on the job market. Yet the wage gap as well as 4other hurdles remain despite these laws. The question is therefore what factors play a role in the fact that Japanese women who are among the best educated in the world, who not only have the Labor Standard Law, but an Equal Employment Opportunity Law as well, must contend with a substantial wage gap and such high unemployment rates? This thesis will consist of two parts aside from the introductory and the closing chapters. The first part will be chapter two, containing a literature review in which the research of several western scholars as well as native Japanese scholars concerning their assessment of the EEOL in Japan will be discussed and evaluated. In addition this part will also discuss the different roles companies and government play with regard to keeping the oppression of women in the labor market as it is, or furthering equal opportunity. In the second part of this thesis, chapter 3, the difficulties that working women, annd specifically working mothers, face in their day to day life will be examined on the basis of interviews conducted by scholars with these working women and mothers.Show less