Kohei Mishima - Faculty Interview

My research theme is the industrialization of developing countries and the international strategies and organizational evolution of companies. Although I originally began my research with the desire to contribute in some way to the people of developing countries through my expertise in economics, to this day, I find myself constantly being encouraged and inspired by them, and I am always learning about management and organization from people in companies and government agencies. While I am still far from achieving my original research motivation, I intend to move forward one step at a time.

One of the characteristics of my research may be its focus on a single product, the motorcycle, in understanding the economies of developing countries and corporate strategy and organization. In developing countries, motorcycles are far more widespread than one might imagine in Japan; they are an integral part of people's daily lives, with their usage and appearance adapted to local conditions. However, many of these motorcycles bear the brands of Japanese companies. What entities drive this gap between the local and the global that motorcycles represent? What kind of innovation and competition does it emerge from, and what are the consequences for industrial formation? I am deepening my consideration of these points by expanding my area of study to include Southeast Asia, South Asia, South America, and Africa.

Furthermore, one of the characteristics of industrialization in developing countries accompanying the advance of globalization is that foreign-affiliated companies are increasingly becoming the main players. I have come to believe that this type of industrialization, in terms of inter-firm relationships and the relationship between companies and regional economies, is similar to the structure surrounding small and medium-sized enterprises in Japan and the current state of its regional economies. Therefore, I have recently developed a strong interest in Japanese regional economies such as Ota Ward, Kumamoto, and Tohoku, and I am also working on regional revitalization centered on small and medium-sized enterprises.

In conducting the above considerations, I repeatedly carry out fieldwork at companies, government ministries, and dealerships. Visiting the field, observing the situation from various angles, listening to the people there, and thinking about solutions stimulates my intellectual curiosity and is also purely enjoyable. On the other hand, when I visit the field, people raise a variety of issues, and I am constantly grappling with how to understand these on-the-ground problems.

I would like all students to gain a wide variety of experiences. This is because I believe it is important, no matter the subject, to go to the actual place, see the actual thing, and try to understand the actual situation. This approach may sometimes lead to ambiguous objectives, an increase in irrational actions, or take more time than expected. However, the results obtained by discovering issues for yourself based on on-site knowledge and experience, and thinking them through thoroughly, will be significant. At such times, what you have learned at university should serve as an important foundation for your thinking.

(Interview conducted in December 2013)

*Profile and position are as of the time of the interview.