Constructive career development of Japanese local employees and the human resource employment strategies of Japanese overseas subsidiaries in Asia

Abstract

Global human resources and overseas local hiring is a concept unique to Japan. Professor Kyomi Koizumi, Sagami Women's University, Japan, is conducting a study on constructive career development of Japanese local employee and human resource (HR) employment strategies of Japanese overseas subsidiaries in Asia. In this study, she is working closely with Associate Professor Akira Sugiyama, Tokyo University of Social Welfare. Key factors that led the researchers to this project are the anxiety and dissatisfaction experienced by local hires who are neither Japanese expatriates nor local staff but intermediaries between the two and a lack of understanding of a local subsidiary on the part of the Japanese HQ, which could lead to human resource management issues that could affect performance. Sugiyama and Koizumi are exploring whether establishing an effective strategy of hiring locally based Japanese nationals could enhance the competitiveness of Japanese companies in overseas markets. The project's focus on Japanese nationals who are already present in a variety of overseas regions and who may offer the best solution to the HR management needs of Japanese companies expanding overseas makes it truly unique. The researchers want to identify the elements and conditions necessary for Japan to once again become a leading country in Asia and the world. Their intention is that their research will lead to corporate activities and individual career design.