Toru Yamada, Jinliang Yuan and Bengt Ake Sunden
The purpose of this paper is to find out the applicability of the many-body dissipative particle dynamics (MDPD) method for various real fluids by specifically focusing on the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to find out the applicability of the many-body dissipative particle dynamics (MDPD) method for various real fluids by specifically focusing on the effects of the MDPD parameters on the MDPD fluid properties.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, the MDPD method based on van der Waals (vdw) equation of state is employed. The simulations are conducted by using LAMMPS with some modifications of the original package to include the many-body features in the simulation. The simulations are investigated in a three-dimensional Cartesian box solution domain in which MDPD particles are distributed. In order to evaluate the MDPD liquid characteristics for a stationary liquid film, self-diffusivity, viscosity, Schmidt number (Sc) and surface tension, are estimated for different MDPD parameters. The parameters are carefully selected based on previous studies. A set of single-droplet simulations is also performed to analyze the droplet characteristics and its behavior on a solid-wall. Besides, the relationship between the characteristic length in the DPD simulations and scaling parameters for the stationary liquid-film case is discussed by employing the Ohnesorge number.
Findings
The results show that the liquid properties in the MDPD simulations can be widely ranged by varying the MDPD parameters. The values are highly influenced by the many-body feature in the conservative force which is not included in the original DPD method. It is also found that the wetting ability of the MDPD fluid on solid walls can be easily controlled by changing a many-body parameter. The characteristic length between the MDPD reduced unit and real unit is related for the stationary liquid-film case by employing the Ohnesorge number.
Originality/value
The present parametric study shows that the liquid properties in the MDPD method can vary by carefully controlling the MDPD parameters, which demonstrates the high-potential applicability of the method for various real fluids. This will contribute to research areas in multi-phase transport phenomena at nano and sub-micron scales in, for example, fuel cells, batteries and other engineering devices involving porous media.
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The argument for the damaging effects of capitalist modes of production on traditional or indigenous communities is convincing, and has been upheld by scholars interested in…
Abstract
The argument for the damaging effects of capitalist modes of production on traditional or indigenous communities is convincing, and has been upheld by scholars interested in development issues. Recent research, however, has called for a closer look at the problem. In this paper, a Japanese village that was created by the government for collective rice farming under a state-controlled distribution system is examined in an attempt to discern how a sudden shift to capitalist modes of production and largely uncontrolled marketing changed the social structure of the community. It is argued that the effects of such a shift may actually promote new unions and different kinds of solidarity, even when the overall impression indicates a decline in solidarity.
Remy Magnier-Watanabe, Caroline Benton, Philippe Orsini and Toru Uchida
Subjective well-being has attracted attention in relation to its impact on job satisfaction and performance. As a result, companies would do well to encourage positive emotions…
Abstract
Purpose
Subjective well-being has attracted attention in relation to its impact on job satisfaction and performance. As a result, companies would do well to encourage positive emotions and minimize negative ones in the workplace. This study aims to examine the factors that contribute to emotional contagion in the workplace in Japan.
Design/methodology/approach
The study builds upon previous research on emotional contagion by considering both personal and professional events using vignette questions and multiple regression analysis. A large group of permanent Japanese employees is included in the study.
Findings
Emotional contagion in the Japanese workplace was found to be primarily influenced by the level of familiarity between sender and receiver, and to a lesser extent by the receiver’s emotional susceptibility, group climate and the hierarchical difference between sender and receiver. Contrary to past research in other countries, several hypothesized predictors had little or no effect on emotional contagion among Japanese employees, such as communication frequency or empathy.
Practical implications
Given the persistent labor shortage and aging population, it is crucial for Japanese companies to understand how positive and negative emotions are transmitted in the workplace. This knowledge can assist them in establishing a work environment that can optimize employee well-being, performance and retention.
Originality/value
While the antecedents of emotional contagion have been extensively studied, their effects within Japanese corporations remain underexplored. Thus, this research investigates the factors that can foster the contagion of positive emotions while mitigating the transmission of negative emotions within the Japanese workplace, thereby addressing the prevailing challenges faced by Japanese companies.
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Remy Magnier-Watanabe, Caroline Benton, Philippe Orsini, Toru Uchida and Kaoruko Magnier-Watanabe
This exploratory paper aims to examine attitudes and practices with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the effects of mandatory teleworking from home in the wake of the…
Abstract
Purpose
This exploratory paper aims to examine attitudes and practices with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the effects of mandatory teleworking from home in the wake of the first state of emergency orders in Japan in 2020.
Design/methodology/approach
An online survey of married employees retrospectively assessed changes in work style, subjective well-being, work–family conflict and job performance before and during forced teleworking from home in Tokyo and three of the surrounding prefectures.
Findings
Regular employees reported high levels of anxiety and to have thoroughly implemented government-recommended hygiene and safety practices. A majority of respondents were satisfied with mandatory telework from home and desired to continue partial telework after the end of the pandemic. The strongest predictor of satisfaction with mandatory telework from home turned out to be adequate workspace at home for both men and women. However, the antecedents of the desire to continue working from home differed by gender.
Practical implications
These findings can help individuals, firms and governments better understand the effects of mandatory teleworking from home and devise countermeasures to maximize employee well-being and job performance. This is all the more crucial, as Japan has had successive waves of the virus and has declared numerous states of emergency since the beginning of the pandemic, forcing office workers to continue social distancing and remote working for the time being.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is one of the first to provide insights on how imposed teleworking from home in the context of COVID-19 in Japan affected regular employees’ personal and professional lives and to identify predictors of satisfaction with teleworking and the desire to continue doing so.
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Abstract
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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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Yuri Taira, David J. Hardisty and Rui Jorge B. Basto da Silva
The authors analyzed data and information mainly from the company’s annual reports and the books written by the CEO.
Abstract
Research methodology
The authors analyzed data and information mainly from the company’s annual reports and the books written by the CEO.
Case overview/synopsis
How and when can a “value” brand upscale its brand image? In the wake of the financial crisis of 2007–2008, UNIQLO – Japan’s street fashion brand – considered introducing a new brand collaboration. They needed to capture the attention of younger, more fashionable consumers. However, people were tightening their spending as they faced uncertainties related to their jobs and wealth. Even though UNIQLO had had a steady growth in sales for the previous 24 years, it was questionable whether it was strategically a good time to launch a premium brand collaboration. And if so, who was the right partner? High-end designer Jil Sander, fashionable New York-based Theory or emerging French “casual luxury” brand Comptoir des Cotonniers?
Complexity academic level
This case is about the challenges faced by a low-priced brand to collaborate with a high-end brand to enhance the brand image. It explores the important elements to take into consideration when evaluating launching collaboration using the high-end brand’s name. The students will learn how to examine the risks and benefits of creating a new image for the core brand. If the students had learnt branding or brand extension before, this case can be used to teach how consumer’s perception affects brand extension and the target market’s impact on pricing and distribution strategies. It can be used for a marketing course at the MBA level to explore the concepts in a growing company’s brand image or an undergraduate specialized course in brand management or marketing management. The students also learn how the fashion industry’s supply chain management works to adapt to rapidly changing fashion trends.