COMPLETION REPORT
Enabling the Disabled to Work: Uncovering the Experience of Japanese Multinational Corporations and Lessons
LearnedDr. Ang Chooi Hwa Magdalene
Associate Professor
Centre for Research on Womaen and Gender
Universiti Sains Malaysia

COMPLETION REPORT
Enabling the Disabled to Work: Uncovering the Experience of Japanese Multinational Corporationsand Lessons Learned
A survey of the literature indicates that Japan records a relatively higher employment rates of persons withdisabilities (PWDs) when compared to other countries. While the employment outlook appears to be promising for
PWDs in Japan, recent statistics released by the Ministry of Human Resources Malaysia reveal that more than
95% of Malaysians with disabilities are still unemployed. Against this backdrop, the present study collected data
via face-to-face interviews with 20 hiring managers in Japan and Malaysia. A thematic analysis of the interview
data shed light on three research questions: (1) What are some of the policies and plans that help to increase thelabor participation of PWDs in Japan?; (2) How can these initiatives be successfully patterned after by Malaysia?;and (3) What are the challenges and benefits of hiring PWDs from a managerial perspective?
With regard to research question 1, the Japanese respondents generally concurred that Japan’s employment quota
system for PWDs has considerably helped in improving PWDs’ employment prospects. Other salient factors
contributing to the effective hiring and employing of PWDs include: (1) top management’s role and commitment
in driving PWDs’ employment agenda; (2) training and education programs to enhance understanding of disability
and legislations which can in turn mitigate negative attitudes towards hiring PWDs; (3) use of job coaches andinduction courses for new recruits to ensure that not only the disabled workers are hired but they will also remain
employed; and (4) close and effective contacts with community service providers that can transfer knowledge on
workplace/job accommodations and support for PWDs.
In relation to the second research question, the key takeaways for Malaysia are: (1) revamp the existing disability
act by incorporating the employment quota system akin to that of Japan; (2) transfer of Japanese experience
concerning disability friendly strategies and other good practices; and (3) embed the employment agenda for
PWDs in the corporate culture and business strategies which transcend corporate social responsibility (CSR)
initiatives.

Pertaining to research question 3, the data revealed a set of similar perceived challenges and benefits of hiring
disabled workers. The main concern shared by the majority of the respondents was the belief that disabled workers
were not able to perform at work. Another top concern was related to the type of work which is suitable for PWDs.
There is general consensus that there would be benefits to the workplace from employing disabled workers. The
benefits are enhanced CSR performance, loyal and committed disabled workforce, and increased employee
morale.
In conclusion, the solutions to the complex issue of unemployment among PWDs go beyond simplistic
approaches. Employer education/training is perhaps a good starting point to demystify the challenges of hiring andemploying PWDs. Equally important is establishing partnerships with disability interest groups to assist companies
in the successful integration of PWDs in the workforce and to ensure that disabled workers remain employed.
Organizations also need to be given persuasive information such as hiring PWDs is not only good businesspractice but it can also benefit the company’s triple bottom line.

Publication of the Results of Research Project:
Verbal Presentation (Date, Venue, Name of Conference, Title of Presentation, Presenter, etc.)(1) Date: 24-26 January, 2017
Venue: Bangkok, Thailand
Name of Conference: International Conference on Business and Information (BAI-Winter2017)
Title of Presentation: To Nudge or to Shove: Disability Fundamental Law and Employment
Quota System in Enhancing Persons with Disabilities’ EmploymentPresenter: Magdalene ANG Chooi Hwa(2) Date: 6-8 August, 2017
Venue: Taipei, Taiwan
Name of Conference: 7th International Conference on Education, Research and Innovation(ICERI 2017)
Title of Presentation: The Challenges and Benefits of Employing Persons with Disabilities:
The Japanese Multinational Corporations’ Perspective
Presenter: Magdalene ANG Chooi Hwa
Thesis (Name of Journal and its Date, Title and Author of Thesis, etc.)“The Challenges and Benefits of Employing Persons with Disabilities: The JapaneseMultinational Corporations’ Perspective”
Publication in an affiliated journal, International Journal of Innovation, Management andTechnology (IJIMT, ISSN: 2010-0248, DOI:10.18178/IJIMT), to the ICERI 2017conferenceBook (Publisher and Date of the Book, Title and Author of the Book, etc.)
Proposed Title for a book chapter: “Disability and Gender: The Japanese and Malaysian Cases”