Emily M. Nason

Corporate Organization in Japan and the United States: Is There Evidence of Convergence?

We investigate the changing structure of Japanese and U.S. companies and ask whether there are signs of national convergence in corporate organization. We present three types of evidence to address this question: longitudinal data, cross-sectional survey data, and structural equation modeling (SEM). The models are ideal types of Japanese and U.S. companies and relate human-resource strategy and corporate governance to organizational outcomes such as employment practices and the role of the executive HR function. We find mixed evidence of convergence. The longitudinal data show some Japanese companies becoming more like those in the United States and the SEM results show a Japanese-style model emerging in some U.S. companies. However, there is also evidence from the survey data and from the SEM results of continuing differences in corporate governance, employment, and executive-decision making in Japan and the United States.

How to write a powerful case study?: Emerging issues for a case study and writing in Asia

Main purpose of this article is to make a dynamic interaction between Award winning scholars and audience (or readers), particularly those who would like to focus on case writing on Asian consumers and businesses for journals like Harvard Business Review (HBR) and Academy of Asian Business (AABR) or competitions like WACC (World Asian Case Competition). The authors provided important guidelines to write a powerful case study. First, several key decisions before writing a case are presented with some issues in case pedagogy, writing and analysis. Then discussed are three key elements such as themes, protagonists, and challenges in case study. Some tips for writing a powerful case study are also provided. The importance of highlighting turning points and “Asian ways” also presented. Several important emerging issues and tips are presented to help readers write an influential case study for their research and career.