Barry Elsey and Asahi Fujiwara
This study takes the Japanese concept of kaizen, that is, continuous quality improvement, as a means of looking behind the Toyota Production System (TPS), to examine in some…
Abstract
This study takes the Japanese concept of kaizen, that is, continuous quality improvement, as a means of looking behind the Toyota Production System (TPS), to examine in some detail the work of kaizen and technology transfer instructors in overseas transplants. Special attention is paid to their role as learning facilitators. The research provides insights into how these workers prepare for their overseas transplant assignments, the methods they use to instruct other workers and the kinds of problems they experience in relating to and communicating with foreign employees of Toyota. The findings show the commitment the technology transfer instructors have to doing their work well and living by example the corporate culture and values of Toyota. These workers recognize the special challenge of communicating effectively as learning facilitators across different national cultures and languages and make practical suggestions for improvements in this regard.
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Kanlaya Phaphon, Sumrit Wacharasindhu and Amorn Petsom
This study aims to synthesize polyethylene glycol (PEG)-rosin derivatives from rosin and PEG for the production of solid soldering fluxes. The PEG-rosin derivatives would be water…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to synthesize polyethylene glycol (PEG)-rosin derivatives from rosin and PEG for the production of solid soldering fluxes. The PEG-rosin derivatives would be water soluble, and the resulting solid soldering fluxes would have reasonable wetting ability when combined with a low-halide-content activator.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper presents a synthetic process for PEG-rosin derivatives. The reaction conditions (including catalyst type, catalyst concentration, reaction temperature and PEG type) were optimized for the synthesis of PEG-rosin derivatives. The chemical and physical properties of PEG-rosin derivatives were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry, differential scanning calorimetry and gel permeation chromatography. The production and characteristics of water-soluble rosin fluxes (WSRFs) were studied according to the standards of the Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) Committees.
Findings
WSRs were successfully synthesized from rosin and PEG using 2 per cent ZnO as a catalyst, with a 2:1 molar ratio of rosin:PEG at 250°C over 9 h. The resulting WSRs were completely soluble in water. As the PEG3000-rosin had the highest melting point (55.2°C), it was chosen for the preparation of the WSRFs. Activators such as succinic acid, glutaric acid, ethylamine hydrochloride and diethylamine hydrobromide were selected for use in the production of the fluxes. It was found that WSRF 09 and WSRF 04 gave the best performance with the lead-free Sn-0.7Cu solder alloy in terms of good solderability, low halide content (less than 1,500 ppm), high insulation resistance and low corrosion. These fluxes were applied to produce solder pastes with Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu alloy and they passed the performance tests as expected for solder paste.
Research limitations/implications
Further studies are necessary on large-scale production and to compare the performance of these fluxes to those from conventional water-soluble fluxes currently available in the market. Application of these fluxes on low-temperature solder alloys such as SnZn and SnBi (Ren et al., 2016) worth further study.
Originality/value
The classification of flux systems according to the JIS 3283 standard does not specify PEG-rosin derivatives in the flux; nevertheless, ranking of the flux systems based on the halide content and corrosion properties of activators would be useful information when selecting flux systems for electronics soldering in water-washable applications. The application of these fluxes in solder paste gave very promising results and is worth investigating into more detail, as well as field test.
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This article assesses the development of flood relief and recovery, and their narratives, as political sites for the central and local governments to negotiate each other's…
Abstract
Purpose
This article assesses the development of flood relief and recovery, and their narratives, as political sites for the central and local governments to negotiate each other's standing and role in imperial Japan.
Design/methodology/approach
The article examines local flood narratives, most prominently from Okayama, to assess how imperial Japan's central government intruded into the periphery through disaster relief, and how the localities negotiated and challenged Tokyo's political agenda on the ground and through these narratives.
Findings
The above sources reveal that the national government attempted to use flood experiences to unite the pluralizing society by three main means: building meteorological stations, relief laws, and through the imperial being. The process was systematized gradually, and local prefectures aided and challenged Tokyo's attempts. The prefectures also used disasters to try to bring unity within their community.
Originality/value
Historical flood narratives are often used to mine data from which future preventative and management measures are constructed. The article suggests the narratives' political nature, and hence the nuances that must be considered in these efforts.
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Purpose – Using sexual harassment in Japan as a case, this research illustrates how local gender culture, particularly sexual harassment consciousness, has changed since initial…
Abstract
Purpose – Using sexual harassment in Japan as a case, this research illustrates how local gender culture, particularly sexual harassment consciousness, has changed since initial local legal reform.
Design/methodology/approach – The historical analysis draws on national newspaper reporting of a fairly new concept of sexual harassment into a local society.
Findings – My findings suggest that Japanese actively engaged in, rather than rejected, the new social issue; their active response gave rise to social consciousness toward sekuhara especially and sex discrimination more generally. Broader and more inclusive definitions of sexual harassment appeared in Japan than the original international legal definitions. Local–international interactions effectively shaped such outcomes.
Originality/value – This is the first qualitative and quantitative analysis of the media's portrayals of sexual harassment in Japan.
This paper gives a bibliographical review of the finite element methods (FEMs) applied to the analysis of ceramics and glass materials. The bibliography at the end of the paper…
Abstract
This paper gives a bibliographical review of the finite element methods (FEMs) applied to the analysis of ceramics and glass materials. The bibliography at the end of the paper contains references to papers, conference proceedings and theses/dissertations on the subject that were published between 1977‐1998. The following topics are included: ceramics – material and mechanical properties in general, ceramic coatings and joining problems, ceramic composites, ferrites, piezoceramics, ceramic tools and machining, material processing simulations, fracture mechanics and damage, applications of ceramic/composites in engineering; glass – material and mechanical properties in general, glass fiber composites, material processing simulations, fracture mechanics and damage, and applications of glasses in engineering.
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Jacob Slonim, Dennis Mole and Michael Bauer
The first videodisc was demonstrated in 1927. A brief history of the videodisc is presented, describing the three major current manifestations of this storage medium—read‐only…
Abstract
The first videodisc was demonstrated in 1927. A brief history of the videodisc is presented, describing the three major current manifestations of this storage medium—read‐only, write‐once, and erasable. Read‐only became an important information delivery format in 1985. During 1986, write‐once will begin to have impact on libraries and information centers. The current status of this technology, the major corporations involved in the field, and the potential uses for various types of storage media are described. A sidebar discusses Geac's use of optical media.
The purpose of this paper is to review the life of the famous mathematician Kiyosi Itô and discuss his influence on the study of agricultural finance and agricultural economics.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to review the life of the famous mathematician Kiyosi Itô and discuss his influence on the study of agricultural finance and agricultural economics.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper is a qualitative historical review.
Findings
The paper provides a biographical stretch of Itô's life. It is shown that his influence started to infiltrate the agricultural economics profession at around 1985 and is currently a major influence of a range of economic issues from farm policy to agricultural investments.
Research limitations/implications
The biography is limited to a review of Itô's academic life and influence.
Practical implications
The paper offers a historical perspective on how probability emerged as a critical piece of the economic puzzle. For scholars and practitioners of agricultural finance, the paper provides an in depth review of how Itô processes have, and can, be used.
Originality/value
This paper provides a historical perspective on Itô that is of use to students and scholars of rural credit. This is the first “biography” of Itô to discuss his influence on agricultural finance and agricultural economics.
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This study aims to understand the mechanisms driving individuals to utilise and engage in edu-business and contribute to the industry’s development, even when they face criticism…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to understand the mechanisms driving individuals to utilise and engage in edu-business and contribute to the industry’s development, even when they face criticism. To that end, this paper, focussing on corporate stories, explores the cultural strategies education companies employ to expand their businesses overseas.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper examines the case study of Kumon Institute of Education, a key player in the Japanese edu-business sector. The analysis is based on interviews conducted between 2019 and 2021 with four public relations officers who possess extensive knowledge of the company’s history. Additionally, it draws on government and company documents, as well as newspaper articles. The analysis focusses on the narrative isomorphism between the company and the government from the provider’s perspective.
Findings
Kumon’s corporate stories and narratives have been shaped by the history, culture and policies of Japan, its country of origin, rather than adopting a bottom-up approach or embracing neoliberal values. As the company expanded its international reach, its Japanese identity became a cornerstone of its narrative, heightening the appeal of its stories through the use of expert discourse and historic cultural resources. Recently, a synergy has developed between the public and private sectors in the realm of education export, reinforcing the distinctly Japanese nature of the company, which is particularly appealing to both users and employees.
Originality/value
This paper focusses on the edu-business itself, analysing cultural strategies that go beyond the functional aspects of management or services to understand how edu-businesses have attracted people.
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Ken Kato, Kazunobu Yamauchi, Makoto Miyaji, Nakako Fujiwara, Kimiko Katsuyama, Hiroshi Amano, Santaro Kobayashi, Michio Naito, Yasunori Maki, Hirohisa Kawahara, Mitsuaki Maseki and Yoshio Senoo
This study seeks to investigate doctors' desire to change the hospital where they work to sustain higher quality care.
Abstract
Purpose
This study seeks to investigate doctors' desire to change the hospital where they work to sustain higher quality care.
Design/methodology/approach
Self‐administered questionnaires were sent to doctors in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Data were analyzed using univariate and logistic regression analysis and recursive partitioning.
Findings
Factors related to doctors' desire to change hospitals, according to logistic regression, were interaction between working hours and satisfaction with the hospital, evaluation, local government hospitals versus private ones, small vs large hospitals, ophthalmology versus internal medicine, desire to continue working as a hospital doctor and age. Additionally, working hours were also found to be related, based on recursive partitioning.
Research limitations/implications
The response rate was low and sampling bias was observed – therefore results need careful interpretation. Also, because this was a cross‐sectional study, causal relationships could not be identified. Desire to change hospitals, but not actual behavior, was measured.
Practical implications
Efforts to prevent doctors from changing hospitals should include considering job satisfaction and workload, doctor evaluation methods, support for career progression and organizational management.
Originality/value
As the hospital doctor shortage in rural areas becomes more serious, exploring doctors' desire to leave their current hospital is meaningful for Japanese hospital managers and hospitals worldwide aiming to provide sustainable and higher quality care.
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William Il kuk Kang and Gaston Fornes
The purpose of this paper is to explore and understand corporate social responsibility (CSR) and human resource management (HRM) practices of the UK and Japan, who share opposing…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore and understand corporate social responsibility (CSR) and human resource management (HRM) practices of the UK and Japan, who share opposing societal and cultural characteristics, from a national business system (NBS) perspective, to answer the following two questions: the extent of convergence/divergence of CSR-HRM of two very different NBS, and the institutional relations behind the convergence/divergence.
Design/methodology/approach
For these purposes, the paper proposes a framework that can be utilised to understand the complex relationships between institutions, HRM, and CSR. Using a qualitative approach and grounded theory analysis as well as multiple-case analysis of six cases from the UK and Japan, the findings are tested against the framework.
Findings
The paper was able to confirm that mimetic and coercive isomorphism from global institutional pressure cause certain convergence of CSR-HRM in these two nations. However, simultaneously, the local institutional pressure (i.e. NBS) appears to be deeply rooted and is more salient at micro-level, resulting in diversified CSR-HRM in the two nations. As a result, it appears that convergence and divergence co-exist due to their differences in NBS with possibility of “crossvergence”.
Originality/value
This paper’s significance lies not only in contributing to the existing convergence–divergence debate on both CSR and HRM but also to help understanding of how Western CSR-HRM concepts are utilized and interpreted in East Asian countries with very different NBS from the West, with the aid of the proposed framework.