Japan Research Center

The Harvard Business School Japan Research Center (JRC) opened in January 2002. Located in Tokyo, its primary purpose is to support HBS faculty research and case-writing activities in Japan. JRC plays an important role in helping HBS advance its activities. Through its work in Japan, facilitated by the JRC, HBS strives to deepen faculty's understanding of and exposure to Japanese management issues, trends, and practices, as well as developing locally relevant case studies and course materials for use in MBA and Executive Education programs around the world. The School is heavily involved in strengthening ties with important constituencies in Japan (including companies, universities, government, and HBS alumni) - these relationships are critical to ensuring that the School's efforts have an impact. The work of the JRC has enabled the School's faculty to identify and study important management advancements in Japan, or develop and test their ideas within a Japanese framework.

Harvard Business School Japan Research Symposium was held in Tokyo on March 23, 2007, and Dean Jay O Light made an opening speech.

Japanese Version

Newsletter No. 4 September 2004

Summary of activities during the first half of 2004

Cases

7- Eleven, Inc.
Professor David Bell (Marketing) developed a case on Seven-Eleven, Japan's leading convenience store chain, with a focus on the fresh foods business. The case was initially developed for the Agribusiness Seminar, but was also used in a second year elective course in the MBA Program taught by Rajiv Lal (Marketing). Interviews were conducted both in Tokyo and Dallas.

Transforming Mitsubishi Corporation, 2004
Professor Mike Yoshio (General Management) developed a case on the Mitsubishi Corporation with a focus on the challenges faced by Japan's largest trading company and its newly elected president, including high reliance on limited lines of businesses and geographic areas, human resources development, and market valuation.

MK Taxi: Private Chauffeur Service
Professor Andrew McAfee (Technology Operations Management) developed a case on MK Taxi's Private Chauffeur Service, a new service using mobile phones and GPS (Global Positioning System), offered in the Tokyo area. MK Taxi is a medium-sized taxi company run by an innovative founding family, originating in Kyoto. The case will be used in Managing in the Information Age, a second-year elective, this fall.

Peace Winds Japan
This case on a successful Japanese NGO, which was developed by John Quelch (Marketing) in 2003, has been revised and is now accompanied by a teaching note. The case provides an opportunity to explore the basics of an international NGO's mission, strategy, organization, and budget at a very personal level based on the profiles of the founding entrepreneur and field managers for Afghanistan and Iraq.

Research Projects

We have assisted (or are assisting) on research projects for professors Regina Abrami (Free Trade Agreements), Tarun Khanna (foreign direct investment in China and India), and Lucy White (banking industry).

Presentation by Faculty

photo of Professor Warren McFarlan photo of Professor Richard Vietor

Professor Warren McFarlan (General Management, left), who has served as head of the Asia-Pacific Initiative since 1998, stepped down from that role, and Professor Richard Vietor (BGIE, right) assumed responsibility in April 2004. To announce this handover, JRO arranged a presentation on March 22 at the Imperial Hotel. Professor McFarlan discussed HBS's activities in the Asia Pacific and Professor Vietor made a presentation on "U.S. Economic Policies and the Presidential Election." The presentation was well attended and was followed by a brief reception and an event co-hosted by the HBS Club of Japan. Professors McFarlan and Vietor made a presentation on HBS's present situation and future strategy.

On April 16, Professor Warren McFarlan (General Management) conducted a case method workshop in an MOT (Management of Technology) seminar hosted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry. There is growing interest in business education and case method in Japan. The workshop was attended by over 100 people and was very well received.

Professor Howard Stevenson (Entrepreneurial Management) made a presentation to the HBS Club of Japan on June 29. He discussed his ideas on how to define, achieve, and feel satisfied with success, which was the theme of the recently published book, co-authored with Laura Nash, "Just Enough: Tools for Creating Success in Your Work and Life." Professor Stevenson became Senior Associate Provost for Harvard University Resources and Planning as of July 1, 2004.

Visitors from Boston

During the first half of 2004, Warren McFarlan (General Management), Geoffrey Jones (Entrepreneurial Management), Andy McAfee (Technology Operations Management), Youngme Moon (Marketing), Howard Stevenson (Entrepreneurial Management), and Richard Vietor (BGIE) visited Tokyo.

HBS Publishing representatives such as David Wan (President and CEO), John Chen (Managing Director, International), and Perry Bedinger (Director of International Distribution) visited Tokyo to explore opportunities and formulate strategies for the Japanese market. Other visits included Camille Tang (Asia-Pacific Research Center), Brooke Wheelan (Admissions) and Joshua Merrow (External Relations).

New Staff

photo of Ariko Ota

In April, Ariko Ota joined JRO to work as Research Associate two days a week. Thanks to her and Akiko Kanno, who joined in February and works three days a week, our research resources expanded significantly and we are working on about a dozen active projects.

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