Ryuichi Shibasaki, Masahiro Abe, Wataru Sato, Naoki Otani, Atsushi Nakagawa and Hitoshi Onodera
This study predicts the growth of Africa's international trade from 2011 to 2040 by accounting for the uncertainties in the continent.
Abstract
Purpose
This study predicts the growth of Africa's international trade from 2011 to 2040 by accounting for the uncertainties in the continent.
Design/methodology/approach
This study applies a scenario planning method (SPM) to develop multiple future scenarios considering uncertainties inherent in African socio-economies related to the success or failure of economic and industrial policies (EIPs) and economic corridor development policies (ECDPs). Subsequently, based on these future scenarios, the growth of African international trade from 2011 to 2040 is predicted using the Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP) model.
Findings
The predictions reveal that if the EIPs and the ECDPs are successfully implemented, Africa, as a whole, will experience a significant increase in trade, estimated at US$ 1,905 billion and US$ 1,599 billion for exports and imports, respectively, compared to the scenario in which they fail. However, the effects vary greatly by country or region and industrial sector. The results also show that African intra-regional trade is rapidly expanding and is the second-largest after trade with Europe followed by other continents.
Originality/value
SPM, which allows us to reflect the uncertainties affecting African international trade prediction, is applied to build the future scenarios. The study comprehensively predicts African future international trade by setting a wide range of exogenous variables and parameters (input conditions for the GTAP model) related to EIPs and ECDPs.
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Masahiro Hosoda and Shima Nagano
This study aims to explore the mechanism of the relationships between financial and non-financial outcomes and gender equality through a case study of a Japanese bank that has…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the mechanism of the relationships between financial and non-financial outcomes and gender equality through a case study of a Japanese bank that has consistently pursued gender equality.
Design/methodology/approach
A single case study was adopted to explore the outcomes of promoting gender equality. Primary data were collected from 12 semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed by rereading and coding the interview responses coded to generate themes.
Findings
Through governance reform in Company A, women have been placed in top management positions and the number of female managers has increased, allowing frontline intentions to be reflected in decision-making. The increased number of female managers has led to a decrease in female turnover, men taking parental leave, improved training of female managers and the recruitment of excellent new graduates. The appropriate allocation of jobs to female managers and employees also meets customer needs and has led to increased sales. Finally, involvement of female employees in product development in male-dominated workplaces brings women’s experiences and perspectives to product development, resulting in the development of products that are favoured by customers.
Originality/value
This study determined the mechanism behind the relationships between financial and non-financial outcomes and gender equality, based on agency, upper echelons, resource dependence, institutional and social role theories. It also contributes to gender equality research methodology by providing compelling qualitative stories of gender equality outcomes to increase a company’s commitment to promoting gender equality.
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This study aims to examine how the COVID-19 pandemic affected telework initiatives in Japanese companies and investigate the factors that affect telework based on the technology…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine how the COVID-19 pandemic affected telework initiatives in Japanese companies and investigate the factors that affect telework based on the technology, organization and environment (TOE) model, through the analysis of published documents.
Design/methodology/approach
Document analysis was adopted. Documents were collected from English news articles in the Nikkei Asian Review and Nikkei Asia which cover Japan's economy, industries and markets. The results of surveys by the Persol Research Institute and Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry were also provided to discuss factors promoting and hindering telework. Content analysis was adopted to analyse the documents.
Findings
COVID-19 had an unavoidable impact on the implementation of telework that the government had previously failed to instigate. Japanese listed companies tend to implement telework, whereas small- and medium-sized companies are struggling. The ratio of telework has been low even after the declaration of the state of emergency because there exist organizational, technological and environmental barriers to telework in Japan.
Originality/value
This study contributes to discussions on work style reform by focusing on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on telework. This research also gives new insight into operationalization of telework in organizations not only in Japan but also in other countries known for low rates of telework and inflexible work styles such as Korea.
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Shima Nagano and Masahiro Hosoda
This study examines how formal and cultural management control systems (MCSs) are used to support the promotion of gender equality through a case study of a Japanese bank.
Abstract
Purpose
This study examines how formal and cultural management control systems (MCSs) are used to support the promotion of gender equality through a case study of a Japanese bank.
Design/methodology/approach
A case study was adopted to investigate the use of formal and cultural MCSs in promoting gender equality. Primary data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with managers experienced in promoting gender equality. Then, the data were analysed by reading the interview answers repeatedly and coding interviewees' comments to generate themes.
Findings
The findings indicate that both formal and cultural MCSs can be critical aspects in promoting gender equality. The use of cultural MCS fostered norms and cultures over time that enhances the process of formal MCS to achieve gender equality. Formal MCS was also designed and utilised under the constructed norms and cultures to promote gender equality. Furthermore, the use of formal MCS contributes to shaping norms and cultures that encourage gender equality by controlling and discussing the process of promoting gender equality.
Originality/value
This study clarifies how formal and cultural MCSs can be used to promote gender equality, which is an unresolved issue in Japanese companies. Mechanisms for companies in male-dominated societies are also provided to promote gender equality in terms of MCSs.
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Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become part of daily business for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Japan. The purpose of this study is to explore how…
Abstract
Purpose
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become part of daily business for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Japan. The purpose of this study is to explore how management control systems (MCSs) can support the translation of activities into CSR actions using a case study of a SME in Japan.
Design/methodology/approach
The case is based on an interview with a CEO of a SME in Japan. The paper contributes to the discussion on CSR and MCSs and investigates the integration of CSR activities in SMEs in Japan through MCSs.
Findings
The case company’s formal control systems incorporate environmental and social aspects that are reflected in its top-down, stakeholder-centered approach into CSR through a formal CSR policy. An informal control system is evident and reflected in the CEO’s emphasis on creating shared value by implementing CSR. An interactive control system, a type of formal control system, is useful in the interactions between CEOs and employees and in translating the opinions of stakeholders into CSR actions. Formal control systems can be supported by informal control systems in the implementation of CSR activities.
Originality/value
This research contributes to the management accounting literature by showing that formal and informal control systems can support the motivation of employees and the integration of stakeholders’ opinions on the implementation of SMEs CSR activities in Japan. The MCS approach also contributes to SMEs in Japan that seek to address the demographic and economic challenges.
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Japan has had four periods of public sector reform since World War II. This chapter discusses the leadership for reform during the occupation period, the high economic growth…
Abstract
Japan has had four periods of public sector reform since World War II. This chapter discusses the leadership for reform during the occupation period, the high economic growth period, the low economic growth period and the search for a ‘new’ Japan under various present difficulties. Reforms reflect the priorities of the time and interests of prime ministers, whose style of functioning also affects how public sector reforms are advanced. During the occupation period, the Administrative Management Agency was established in the Prime Minister’s Office and was responsible for the overall management of national government organizations. It was staffed by civil servants who were experts in their areas. Since the 1980s, furthering privatization, deregulation and reorganization, advisory councils for the prime minister were also used, involving influential business leaders and scholars.
This chapter shows that political leadership, especially that of the prime minister and minister in charge of administrative reform, is important in deciding on highly political issues, to persuade or direct politicians and administrators to follow the leadership, to inspire and get the support of the general public and to ensure the support or acceptance of those concerned. Where prime ministers are not directly involved, leadership is provided by professional administrators under the general support of the prime minister and the minister responsible for administrative reforms. It is also pointed out that reform sustainability occurs through institutionalization, incentives, management and producing meaningful results.
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It's time we burst our own “bubble” view of Japanese business techniques: Everything they do is neither automatically right, nor comprehensively wrong. They are, well, uniquely…
Abstract
It's time we burst our own “bubble” view of Japanese business techniques: Everything they do is neither automatically right, nor comprehensively wrong. They are, well, uniquely Japanese—in every sense of the word.
Japan is home to a relatively conservative and group-oriented culture in which social expectations can exert powerful pressure to conform to traditional patterns of behaviour…
Abstract
Japan is home to a relatively conservative and group-oriented culture in which social expectations can exert powerful pressure to conform to traditional patterns of behaviour. This includes gender norms, which have long been based around the common stereotypes of men as breadwinners and women as housewives. Social liberalisation and economic change in the late 20th century saw these patterns change as more women entered the workforce and, despite Japan's dismal standing in global equality rankings, began to make inroads into some positions of political and corporate leadership. Yet, the way in which women are treated by men is shaped not only by female gender norms but also by the social factors that determine male patterns of behaviour. This chapter considers how Japan's male gender norms, particularly the focus on man as economic labourers rather than active members of the family unit, have damaged many men's ability to connect, on an emotional level, with the women in their lives. It looks at the issue of misogyny; what is known as the Lolita Complex; the growing trend of herbivore men; and the concept of Ikumen, men who are active within the family. While some of these patterns of behaviour can be harmful – for women on the individual level, and for Japan as a whole, on the social level – there are some trends which suggest that gender norms in Japan can be directed in a manner which will allow for much healthier emotional relationships to develop between the genders in a manner that will help build a society that is more cognisant of and attentive to the needs of women.
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Nobuhisa Motooka, Shin Murakami and Eiichi Tobe
Focusing on small houses has become one of the recent trends in housing design in Japan, as has been observed in many house design works. Periodical coverage can tell that the…
Abstract
Focusing on small houses has become one of the recent trends in housing design in Japan, as has been observed in many house design works. Periodical coverage can tell that the number of such works has clearly been increasing since the 90s, as compared with the 70s and 80s. The trend of small houses was also observed in the 50s. In those postwar years of economic growth, it was driven by the conditions of the time, such as supply and housing shortages and urban centralization. Today’s social conditions are significantly different from those in the 50s, and naturally, the whole concept of small houses has greatly changed from the past.
In this research, we evaluate the experiments of small houses, from the view of the idea of sustainability and open building concept. Specifically, the study compares the small houses of the 50s and those after 1990 to examine their differences or similarities in terms of size, structure and building systems. And thus clarify how industrialization and standardization reflect on these experiments.
The former period, most were constructed on wood, with traditional construction method. The purpose of design was rather how to adapt the industrialization to the traditional construction and how to realize the modern way of living in the smallest space, than fulfillment of flexibility. Moreover, low cost was also included in the design purpose. In latest examples, the “small” means “small building area” rather than “small space for life and minimal cost for construction” The experimental projects were conducted by the intention exploring new possibilities and diversities of space design, with various highly industrialized materials. The small houses after 1990 can be regarded as experimental efforts to explore new approaches to skeletons within the context of urban tissue.