Explaining the Adoption of Gender Equality Offices in Japanese Universities: The Role of Cultural Norms

• In Event: International Relations Committee Paper Session 2. Equity and Equality: Dilemmas and Cases Across International Contexts

Abstract

Japanese universities have established gender equality offices (GEOs) since 2006 to increase the representation of women students and faculty. Although the overall shares of women students and faculty have been slowly increasing, little is known about which factors encourage universities to implement gender equality initiatives. Drawing from world society theory and gendered organizations theory, I examine which institutional characteristics predict universities’ likelihood of adopting GEOs. Multivariate logistic regression estimations indicate that public and internationally ranked institutions are more likely to adopt GEOs than private and non-ranked institutions. Universities’ STEM concentration does not predict their adoption of GEOs. To develop sustainable solutions effectively to approach gender equality, university decision-makers should acknowledge and promote institutional characteristics that may influence their interventions.

Author

• Risako Ninomiya, Stanford University
  Presenting Author