Publications
Publications
- September 2012
- HBS Case Collection
Hiroshi Mikitani Reflects and Provides Early Updates on Englishnization (November, 2011)
By: Tsedal Neeley
Abstract
CEO of Rakuten, Hiroshi Mikitani, candidly responds to controversial questions about his Englishnization strategy and implementation across 7,100 employees a year and a half later: Did he make an impulsive move when he mandated English as the company language? Why does he enforce a universal mandate? How has he adjusted his stance on how to elicit commitment from his employees over time? Is he imposing the pursuit of being a role model company of a new Japan on his employees?
Keywords
Language; Culture; Communication Barriers; Dynamic Global Marketplace; Rapid Change; Change Management; Ethnicity; Communication; Globalization; Management Teams; Japan
Citation
Neeley, Tsedal. "Hiroshi Mikitani Reflects and Provides Early Updates on Englishnization (November, 2011)." Harvard Business School Video Supplement 413-703, September 2012.