WUDSN Event report for October 17th, 2008
Employment Challenges in an era of Asian Regional Integration: Case Studies inInter-cultural Management, Organization, and Work Values
雇用問題からの挑戦状：グローバル化する世界の中でアジア地域統合を考える
Organised by: Waseda University Doctoral Student Network (WUDSN)
Support by: GIARI & GSAPS

Organizer

Waseda University Doctoral Student Network

Supported by

Global Institute for Asian Regional Integration (GIARI),
GSAPS

Title

Employment Challenges in an era of Asian Regional
Integration: Case Studies in Inter-cultural Management,Organization, and Work Values
雇用問題からの挑戦状：グローバル化する世界の中でアジア地域統合を考える

Presenters and Discussants Professor Satoshi Amako (Waseda University)
Zhaka Pranvera(PhD Candidate, Graduate School of Commerce, WasedaUniversity)
Dr. Andrew MacNaughton(The University of Hong Kong)
Professor Shigeto Sonoda (Waseda University)
Dr. Fabian Jinte Forese (Assistant Professor, Korea
University)
Shinji Kojima (PhD Candidate, University of Hawaii atManao)
Commentator: Prof. Glenda S. Roberts (WasedaUniversity)
Stephen R. Nagy
(Chair of Waseda Doctorial Student Network)
Date

October 17th, 2008, 15:00 to 18:00

Location

Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies, 7F, Rm713

Participants

39 participants from universities in Tokyo and Abroad, seeattendance list for full list of participants

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Symposium Schedule:
Welcome Address: Prof. Satoshi Amako(Chair of Global COE Program “Global Institute for Asian Regional Integration”)
Opening Remarks: Mr. Yasuyuki Kishi
Affiliation: Research Associate, Institute of Asia Pacific Studies, Waseda University
Session 1: Inter-cultural Management and Organization(15:00-16:20 *Presentation 20 minutes×2, Open to audience 40 minutes)
Presentation 1: “The transfer and adaptation of Japanese management practices in adifferent cultural context: Case study of Technocentre (TNC), Shenzhen region ofChina”
Speaker 1: Zhaka Pranvera
Affiliation: PhD Candidate, Graduate School of Commerce, Waseda University
Presentation 2:“Integrating Regionalism and Internationalism through Private English
Language Education in Japan: Essentializing Boundaries among Eikaiwa Workers”
Speaker 2: Dr. Andrew MacNaughton
Affiliation: The University of Hong Kong
Commentator: Prof. Shigeto Sonoda
Affiliation: Graduate School of Asia Pacific Studies, Waseda University

Session 2: Organization and Work Values(16:30-17:50 *Presentation 20 minutes×2, Open to audience 40 minutes)
Presentation 3: “'Work values of the new generation of managers in Japan, Korea, andChina'”
Speaker 3: Dr. Fabian Jinte Forese
Affiliation: Assistant Professor, Korea University
Presentation 4: “Regional Integration from Below: The Status Quo of Labor Issues andUnion Cooperation between Japan and Korea”
Speaker 4: Shinji Kojima
Affiliation: PhD Candidate, University of Hawaii at Manao
Commentator: Prof. Glenda S. Roberts
Affiliation: Graduate School of Asia Pacific Studies, Waseda University

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Closing Remarks: Stephen R. Nagy
Affiliation: Chair of Waseda Doctorial Student Network, Waseda University
Symposium Details:
October 17th, 2008

Session 1: first speakerThe transfer and adaptation of Japanese management practicesin a different
cultural context:
Case study of Technocentre (TNC), Shenzhen region of China
Zhaka Pranvera (Waseda University)

Abstract
This paper evidences the problems of transfer and adaptation of Japanese management practices in adifferent cultural context. In particular, the purpose of this research is to examine the way in which
national culture influences the Human Resource Management (HRM) practices of Japanesesubsidiaries in China. Based on the results of a field-work in Southern China, this study evidencesthat within the Chinese context, a large number of the problems concerning the transfer andadaptation of Japanese management practices can be attributed to national cultural differences. Thefindings also support the hypothesis that some adaptation of Japanese management practices wasexported to fit the Chinese cultural context. An adaptation from Chinese side toward Japanesemanagement practices was also observed. Lastly, practical solutions in order to facilitate and makemore effective the process of adaptation under way in Japanese subsidiaries in Shenzhen region arealso discussed.

Zhaka Pranvera is a 1st year Ph.D. student at the Graduate School of Economics, Waseda
University. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance from Tirana University and a Master’s degreein Japanese Economy and Management from Nagoya City University. Before coming to Japan she
experienced working in bank and also she held a middle management position at the Economic
Department of Tirana City Hall. Her current research interests include the human resource
development and management of Japanese multinational corporations (MNC`s) in Asia.

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Session 1: second speaker
Integrating Regionalism and Internationalism through Private English Language
Education in Japan:
Essentializing Boundaries among Eikaiwa Workers.
Andrew MacNaughton (The University of Hong Kong)

Abstract
English conversation schools in Japan (eikaiwa) represent a very significant though analyticallyoverlooked setting of regional and global integration in management and employment. In any recent
year, tens of thousands of young native English speakers will find themselves working in these
private companies, most under Japanese management and with Japanese coworkers, teaching
English to Japanese adults and/or children through a common explicit emphasis on conversation and
an implicit goal of intercultural communication (ibunka communication). I argue that this largely
transient international workforce, and the industry itself, exist in a liminal space of contested or
ambiguous boundaries between education and entertainment, company and employees, and Japaneseand foreign employee perceptions of the work experience. Managing approaches in this setting
frequently make use of essentialized indicators of Japanese-ness and foreign-ness but in practicethere is more fluidity between boundaries just as the multidimensionality of the industry suggests.
The paper shows that workers are able to bridge many of the perceived boundaries of ethnicity byvirtue of personal and professional qualities but just as often are found out by their own essentialized
separation of the personal from the professional.

Andrew MacNaughton is a very recent graduate of a uniquely designed PhD program inanthropology at The University of Hong Kong’s Department of Japanese Studies. This program built
upon his background in the anthropology of law and resource management to produce an original
ethnography of a Japanese company in Japan with foreign workers and a strong internationalizing
ideology. Originally from Canada, he has been living and studying in East Asia since 1997 andcurrently lectures in corporate anthropology and Japanese society at the School of Modern
Languages and Cultures, University of Hong Kong.

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Session 2: first speaker
Regional Integration from Below: The Status Quo of Labor Issues and Union
Cooperation between Japan and Korea
Shinji Kojima(University of Hawaii at Manao)

Abstract
This presentation discusses the issues faced by contingent workers within the Asian region by mainly
focusing on Japan but also introducing information on Korea as a comparison. Both countries havesignificant proportion of workers under irregular employment arrangement, which is characterized
by low wage, job insecurity, and lack of benefits.

After looking into respective issues shared by thecontingent workers in both countries, I identify the current relationship of collaboration andcooperation between labor unions of both countries dealing with issues of flexible labor. Whilefunctions of state institutions and capital to enhance regional integration in terms of trade, security,and culture has been a target of much discussion, this presentation attempts to consider the roles
labor may play to enhance the well-being of the people within the Asian region throughcollaboration and cooperation.

Shinji Kojima is a Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Sociology, University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Currently he is conducting dissertation fieldwork in Japan as an exchange researcher at GSAPS,Waseda University. His topic of dissertation is neoliberalism and changes in the way of work incontemporary Japan.

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Session 2: second speaker
Work values of the new generation of mangers in Japan, Korea, and China
Dr. Fabian Jinte Froese (Korea University)

Abstract
The convergence of institutions and human values are prerequisites for a successful regional
integration in Asia. Even if governments impose institutional changes towards regional integration,such changes will only be accepted by the population if they are in line with underlying values. This
study investigates the work values of the new generation of Japanese, Korean, and Chinese managers.
Have these people developed similar values and are they ready to live and work in an integrated
Asian region? Survey data of more than 600 respondents in Tokyo, Seoul, and Shanghai provide
support for the convergence theory in that values have become more similar across countries. At thesame, the findings reveal that convergence of values has not been achieved yet. Theoretical andpractical implications are provided.
Keywords: work values, convergence theory, China, Japan, South Korea

Fabian J. Froese is an assistant professor of international business at Korea University in Seoul anda senior research fellow at the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland. His research focuses oninternational human resource management and cross-cultural psychology with a regional focus on
Japan, China, and Korea. His work has been published in Journal of World Business, International
Journal of Intercultural Relations, Asian Business and Management amongst others.

Summary by Stephen Robert Nagy**********************************************
Stephen Robert Nagy
Research Associate
Institute of Asia Pacific Studies, Waseda University
PhD Candidate, Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies, Waseda University
Chair of the Waseda University Doctoral Student Network
Tel: 3203-8175 Ext: 71-6731
Email: s.nagy@aoni.waseda.jp, nagystephen1@yahoo.co.jp***********************************************

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