Provided are: an organic electroluminescent element which has high luminous efficiency, long emission life and low driving voltage, while emitting short wavelength light; a lighting device and a display device, each of which is provided with the element; and an organic electroluminescent element material which is used for the formation of the element. This organic electroluminescent element comprises at least one light emitting layer between a positive electrode and a negative electrode, and is characterized by containing a metal complex that has at least one ligand represented by general formula (A), said ligand being coordinated to a group 8-10 transition metal element in the periodic table of the elements.
