Japan is the optimum location for studying cross-cultural management between Asia and the West.
Japan has consistently maintained its position as one of the world's top economies and technological innovators, and in recent decades has built up an extensive network of interconnections with other economic regions and business interests, including Asia, Europe and the Americas. This experience has helped to build a mature democratic society enjoying widespread affluence.
Japan's leading companies in fields such as automobiles and electronics originally introduced management methodology and technology from western sources. Here these elements were re-combined, moulded and refined into locally appropriate models that then provided inspirational perspectives for business models around the world.
Some distinctive features of Japanese management style are:- Emphasis on consensus over opposition
- Dedication to thorough and in-depth optimisation
- Long-term outlook
- Continuity with historical concepts, even in cutting-edge technology
The very concept of 'Japanese management' demonstrates the successful local adaptation of global methodologies, in tune with local social and cultural circumstances.
Japan has become a bridge to China and other Asian economies
Over 20,000 Japanese companies - half of all its listed companies - have set up operations in China, covering the full spectrum of industrial activity, both 'high-tech' and 'high-touch'. Japan is already one of China's leading FDI partners, and the same proactive pattern is repeated all across Asia. With the geographical spread of Japanese companies, and their distinctive management approach, comes an increasing expertise in 'fusion management', where Japanese methods interact with local conditions to create new and functional styles appropriate to their locale and society.
Thus, studying the Global MBA in Japan will introduce you not just to Japanese management, but to the global potential for new hybrid management styles expressing regional identities, equipping you with a multicultural fluency in tune with current trends.
Japanese business is known for creating the new with an eye to the past.
Kyoto itself is an ideal example of this, marrying a resilient traditional culture with innovative industrial activity to create a modern vibrant city with a strong sense of its historical identity.
The ancient capital of Kyoto has played a unique role in Japan's history and culture for over 1200 years. Hosting wider environmental initiatives such as the Kyoto Protocol, and internationally renowned companies such as Kyocera, Omron, Nintendo, Shimadzu and Murata, Kyoto is still creating history in today's global matrix. Its modern vitality is a monument to its alchemical fusion of old culture and new thinking.
History and tradition, through education and research, meet with science and technology in the annals of the city of Kyoto. It is a powerful combination that attracts large numbers of students, business people and tourists from around the world every year.
For over 130 years, Doshisha University has been at the forefront of education and research in Japan.
- an outstanding education system, with 1700 teaching staff and 662 administrative staff
- 120 ongoing research projects and 50 new research projects each year in cutting-edge specialities
- 71 ongoing research projects in collaboration with industry and 26 commissioned research projects
- a cosmopolitan educational environment, with students from countries and regions throughout the world
- a proven educational reputation - thousands of alumni now work for Japanese global companies
Furthermore, Doshisha Business School provides the only MBA programme in Japan with a global perspective on Asian, American and European management.
The University established Doshisha Business School in 2004 to cultivate global business leaders who can combine the knowledge, practical skills and personal aptitude essential to cross-cultural management - the business challenge of the 21st century.
