According to a recent study by the ILO (2001), women's share of the labour force is increasing worldwide. Today, women's participation rate in the labour force is over 40 per cent of the global workforce.

Higher educational levels and falling fertility rates have contributed to this increased participation. There is also some evidence that women in some Asian countries may be less marginalised in their advancement into top managerial positions than their counterparts elsewhere.

As women become more educated and qualified for managerial positions, the number of Asian women managers and executives is predicted to rise over the next decade. This book examines the opportunities and barriers for women managers in Asia and presents an update on their progress in management.

This book was previously published as a special issue of the Asian Pacific Business Review.