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. Under the direction of Executive Director Masako Egawa (MBA '86), the 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.

Newsletter No. 13 | August 2009

Summary of activities during the second half of 2008

Cases

mixi

Professor Misiek Piskorski (Strategy) developed a case on Mixi, Japan's largest social networking service (SNS) firm, founded in 1997 by Kenji Kasahara, then a 22-year-old student. The case explores how mixi developed its services to meet the characteristics of Japanese culture and communication style. In the summer of 2007, having achieved a stellar growth during the past few years and acquiring over 10 million subscribers, Kasahara began to consider strategic options to grow his company even further.

The Globalization of East Asian Pop Music

Professor Jordan Siegel (Strategy) developed a case on the Asian pop music industry, focusing on Japanese and Korean companies' efforts to export their singers outside their home countries. The case examines why certain markets are more profitable than others. It also allows for comparison of global strategy (with a focus on the U.S. and European markets) and regional strategy (with focus on East Asia).

The Restructuring of Daiei

Professor Rick Ruback (Finance) developed a case focusing on the efforts of the Industrial Revitalization Corporation of Japan (IRCJ), the government affiliated private equity fund, to restructure Daiei, the largest supermarket chain which had been virtually insolvent. The case discusses the institutional characteristics of the Japanese financial system (such as the role of the main bank) and how IRCJ fulfilled its unique role.

Yoshiko Shinohara and Tempstaff

Professor Tony Mayo (Organizational Behavior) developed a case on Yoshiko Shinohara, founder and CEO of a leading temporary staffing agency, and the only Japanese woman to be on Fortune's list of the "50 Most Powerful Women in Business - International" for nine consecutive years. Shinohara founded and grew Tempstaff despite the extremely challenging environment against working women in Japan. The case explores how she overcame those challenges and grew as a leader.

Visitors from Boston

During the second half of 2008, Francois Brochet (Accounting and Management), Srikant Datar (Accounting and Management), Linda Hill (Organizational Behavior) [with her Research Associate, Emily Stecker], Asis Martinez-Jerez (Accounting and Management) and Tony Mayo (Organizational Behavior) visited Tokyo to engage in research and case development.

Heather Lamb (Assistant Director, MBA Program) visited Tokyo to give a presentation to applicants on the MBA program and admissions process. Perry Bedinger (Director of International Distribution of HBS Publishing) and Al Decarvalho (Distribution Manager of HBS Publishing) visited Japan to meet with the partners and potential customers in Japan and explore market opportunities.


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