According to the invention, an insulating or semi-insulating barrier layer which has a thickness where a tunnel current can flow through is provided between a hole injection electrode and an organic compound layer with hole transport characteristics (a hole injection layer or a hole transport layer). Specifically, a thin insulating or semi-insulating barrier layer which contains silicon or silicon oxide; silicon or silicon oxide and a light transmitting conductive oxide material; or silicon or silicon oxide, a light transmitting conductive oxide material, and carbon may be provided between a light transmitting conductive oxide film formed of a light transmitting conductive oxide material, such as ITO and a hole injection layer containing an organic compound.