Management Geography: Asian Perspectives Focusing on Japan and Surrounding Regions PDF
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International Perspectives in Geography AJG Library 19 Atsushi Taira Rolf D. Schlunze Editors Management Geography Asian Perspectives Focusing on Japan and Surrounding Regions International Perspectives in Geography AJG Library Volume 19 Editor-in-Chief Yuji Murayama, The University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan Series Editors Yoshio Arai, Teikyo University, Utsunomiya, Japan Hitoshi Araki, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Japan Shigeko Haruyama, Mie University, Tsu, Japan Yukio Himiyama, Hokkaido University of Education, Sapporo, Japan Mizuki Kawabata, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan Taisaku Komeie, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan Jun Matsumoto, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, Japan Takashi Oguchi, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Japan Toshihiko Sugai, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Japan Atsushi Suzuki, Rissho University, Kumagaya, Japan Teiji Watanabe, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan Noritaka Yagasaki, Nihon University, Tokyo, Japan Satoshi Yokoyama, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan Aim and Scope The AJG Library is published by Springer under the auspices of the Association of Japanese Geographers. This is a scholarly series of international standing. Given the multidisciplinary nature of geography, the objective of the series is to provide an invaluable source of information not only for geographers, but also for students, researchers, teachers, administrators, and professionals outside the discipline. Strong emphasis is placed on the theoretical and empirical understanding of the changing relationships between nature and human activities. The overall aim of the series is to provide readers throughout the world with stimulating and up-to-date scientific outcomes mainly by Japanese and other Asian geographers. Thus, an “Asian” flavor different from the Western way of thinking may be reflected in this series. The AJG Library will be available both in print and online via SpringerLink. About the AJG The Association of Japanese Geographers (AJG), founded in 1925, is one of the largest and leading organizations on geographical research in Asia and the Pacific Rim today, with around 3000 members. AJG is devoted to promoting research on various aspects of human and physical geography and contributing to academic development through exchanges of information and knowledge with relevant internal and external academic communities. Members are tackling contemporary issues such as global warming, air/water pollution, natural disasters, rapid urbanization, irregular land-use changes, and regional disparities through comprehensive investigation into the earth and its people. In addition, to make the next generation aware of these academic achievements, the members are engaged in teaching and outreach activities of spreading geographical awareness. With the recent developments and much improved international linkages, AJG launches the publication of the AJG Library series in 2012. · Atsushi Taira Rolf D. Schlunze Editors Management Geography Asian Perspectives Focusing on Japan and Surrounding Regions Editors Atsushi Taira Rolf D. Schlunze Kagawa University Ritsumeikan University Takamatsu, Kagawa, Japan Ibaraki, Osaka, Japan ISSN 2197-7798 ISSN 2197-7801 (electronic) International Perspectives in Geography ISBN 978-981-19-4402-4 ISBN 978-981-19-4403-1 (eBook) https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-4403-1 © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2022 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are solely and exclusively licensed by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors, and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. The publisher remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. This Springer imprint is published by the registered company Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. The registered company address is: 152 Beach Road, #21-01/04 Gateway East, Singapore 189721, Singapore Preface Management geography explores the spatial characteristics of management-related issues, especially of firms. The research group, Kokusai Keizai Keiei Chirigaku Kenky¯u Guru¯pu (the Research Group of the Spaces of International Economy and Management), was founded at the Spring Meeting of the Association of Japanese Geographers (AJG) in 2007. Ever since, we have been exploring diverse theoretical and methodological approaches for empirical management research to grasp new developments in economic and management issues in Asia, especially in multina- tional enterprises (MNEs) headquartered in Japan. Before the Corona crises the research group members usually met twice a year at the AJG Conference. The Japanese members collaborate with the independent research group of the Spaces of International Economy and Management (SIEM) which is now renamed into Management Geography Research Group (ManGeo). Both research groups, led by Dr. Rolf D. Schlunze (Ritsumeikan University) and Dr. Atsushi Taira (Kagawa University), aim to promote theoretical and empirical research in the field of management geography domestically and internationally. Both research groups have been intending to investigate the issues and the topics related to management geography described below in a broad sense: a. Theorizing management practices in a geographic space using approaches related to leadership, international human resource management, innovative practices, and interactions of managers with boundary-spanning functions. b. Proposing new methodologies for investigating managerial practices, prefer- ences, networking, and decision-making in private and governmental organi- zations transforming international economy and management spaces. c. Providing empirical evidence on the range of management issues, including knowledge transfer and management, as well as localizing and globalizing prac- tices. In particular, studies focusing on managerial embeddedness, corporate social responsibility (CSR), community of practices (CoPs), global production networks (GPNs), and strategic coupling of transnational firms are relevant. d. Developing concepts for building international social capital in corporate entities and global city locations. v vi Preface An important achievement of our co-leadership on behalf of the above two research groups has been their collaboration to discuss relevant topics and to intro- duce young scholars from different schools of thought and disciplines to the field of management geography. A common challenge of our work has been to systematically locate the topic of managers in real, relational, and topical spaces between the fields of economic geography and international business (IB). Despite our great efforts and availability of excellent work published in recent years by scholars working independently, alone or in groups both within and outside of the research group, only a few overarching publication initiatives have been realized to date. This book attempts to highlight the agenda of management geography, spurring theoretical and methodological research, and framing opportunities. We expect this book to raise the profile and promote collaboration among researchers. We wish to provide a new platform for further dissemination of the concept of management geography among economic geographers and scholars of IB and adjacent disciplines. Based on the outcomes of the regular meetings of the Research Group of the Spaces of International Economy and Management at the annual conferences of the AJG and the special session, “Management Geography-An Asian perspective,” organized by the SIEM and represented by Schlunze and Taira, at the 5th Global Conference in Economic Geography (GCEG) in Cologne, Germany, in July 2018, this book was published in English to disseminate agendas on management geography using the AJG’s grant program. Our book aims to promote theoretical advancements in the field of management geography and provide empirical evidence on the changing features of international businesses. The contributors to the book examine the spatial and managerial features of Asian MNEs, especially Japanese ones, and other related agents from the broader perspective of management geography. We expect that this book will contribute to the theoretical, methodological, and empirical advancement of management geography.1 Takamatsu, Japan Atsushi Taira Ibaraki, Japan Rolf D. Schlunze 1 For further details about ManGeo and SIEM, please refer to www.mangeo.org. Contents Introduction: Management Geography—Asian Perspectives Focusing on Japan and Surrounding Regions ........................ 1 Atsushi Taira and Rolf D. Schlunze Japanese/International Managerial Practices Around the World Performance Analysis of Boundary Spanners in Multinational Enterprises Through the Lens of Management Geography ............ 21 Rolf D. Schlunze Changes in the Locational Conditions of the Japanese Machinery and Instrument Industry in China: A Case Study of Dalian Economic and Technological Development Zone ...................... 43 Yasuhisa Abe Management Issues in Global R&D of Japanese Chemical Companies ........................................................ 69 Natsuki Kamakura Small-and Medium-Sized “Global-Niche” Firms in Japan: A Key for the Rejuvenation of Japan’s Local Economy? ..................... 89 Atsushi Taira Changing Business Communities in Industrial and Rural Spaces Industrial Agglomeration and Regional Development Planning Analyzing by GIS in the City of Utsunomiya, Tochigi, Japan ........... 109 Takahito Niwa Unique Functions of a Co-Working Space in a Metropolis: A Case Study in Tokyo, Japan ............................................. 133 Kenta Yamamoto vii viii Contents How Customer Service Centers in Foreign Cities Serving Japan Changed Their Business?: A Case Study of the City of Dalian, China ... 157 Yasuhisa Abe Factors Influencing Enterprise Development in the Inland Regions of Fujian Province in China ........................................ 181 Lin Chen and Guandong Su Transformation of Agricultural Management in Japan Under Globalization Pressure: A Focus on Product Differentiation Strategy .......................................................... 203 Atsushi Kawakubo Index ............................................................. 225 List of Contributors Abe Yasuhisa Graduate School of Social and Cultural Studies, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan Chen Lin School of Geograhy & Center for Asian Geographical Studies, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China Kamakura Natsuki Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan Kawakubo Atsushi Faculty of Law, Toyo University, Tokyo, Japan Niwa Takahito Faculty of Economics, Teikyo University, Tochigi, Japan Schlunze Rolf D. College of Business Administration, Ritsumeikan University, Osaka, Japan Su Guandong ZENRIN Co., Ltd, Fukuoka, Japan Taira Atsushi Faculty of Education, Kagawa University, Kagawa, Japan Yamamoto Kenta Faculty of Economics, Kokugakuin University, Tokyo, Japan ix
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