Report

Accomplishment Report

Symposium

December 08, 2016

Ritsumeikan Inamori Philosophy Research Center held the 2nd International Symposium "Realizing a society based on Inamori Philosophy."

On Thursday, December 8, 2016, in the Colloquium of the Ritsumeikan Ibaraki Future Plaza, the 2nd International Symposium "Realizing a society based on Inamori Philosophy" took place. A total of 184 Japanese and international researchers, businesspersons and students participated in the event.

Ritsumeikan Inamori Philosophy Research Center held the 2nd International Symposium

The Center has a mission to show what a new civilization would look like by making the Inamori management philosophy "universally applicable" and more "widely practiced." The symposium was held to report on the results of research projects on various themes, such as what a society based on the Inamori management philosophy should look like, what are the challenges and methods involved in realizing it, what is a society based on the "altruistic mindset", what are the issues it faces and what approaches can be taken, and what are the possibilities for a new civilization based on the "altruistic mindset". These topics stimulated very active discussions among the participants.

To kick off the event, Dr. Kazuo Inamori, Director Emeritus of the Ritsumeikan Inamori Philosophy Research Center and Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Kyocera Corporation, gave an opening speech, saying, "Modern society is experiencing a vast array of issues as a result of human desires. In a modern capitalist society, market fundamentalism has brought about a disparate society that distinguishes the strong from the weak. Social clashes are rife as a result of these serious issues of disparity all over the world. In such a modern society, to decelerate people’s self-centered desires and bring harmony and coexistence to society, I truly believe that an altruistic mindset of caring about your counterparts and other people around you and trying to devote oneself to all people and the world is essential. From this viewpoint, I believe it is now very appropriate to promote research on a “Society based on altruism” and communicate the results to the entire world. Also, it is very important that we develop educational programs here at the center. It is my sincere wish that discussions will be actively and indeed openly conducted today.”

Dr. John Yang, Professor of Management at the National School of Development (NSD) and Co-Dean of the Beijing International MBA Program at Peking University (BiMBA), gave a keynote address, saying, "The Inamori management philosophy is spreading rapidly among management members at Chinese companies. Key to the Inamori management philosophy is the emphasis on what the right thing to do as a human being is. As it teaches one to do the right thing, the philosophy has been accepted by Chinese companies. Actually, the Inamori management philosophy is very much linked to Taoism, thereby greatly influencing Chinese philosophers. In present-day China, it is crucial to have high principles and an altruistic mindset, while also acting as a role model for others."

In the morning session that followed, Professor Takahiro Nakajima from the University of Tokyo and other people presented four research results.

In the afternoon session, Professor Yoshinori Hiroi of the Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University, gave a keynote address titled "Economy, Ethics and Happiness in the Post-Growth Era", followed by seven interim presentations on research projects that started in AY2016. A discussion then took place on "Challenges and Approaches to Achieving Good Management and a Good Society Based on the Inamori Philosophy." Dr. Atsushi Aoyama, Chief Director of the Ritsumeikan Inamori Philosophy Research Center, served as coordinator at the event with panelists that included Dr. Ikujiro Nonaka, Professor Emeritus, Hitotsubashi University, Dr. Leslie Hannah, Visiting Professor, London School of Economics, Dr. John Yang, Professor, Peking University, Mr. Yoshinori Hiroi, Professor, Kyoto University, and Dr. Takahiro Nakajima, Professor, The University of Tokyo. During the discussion, Professor Nonaka said, "Innovation associated with the Inamori management philosophy lies in morals and altruism. This can revolutionize conventional management philosophies. The Inamori management philosophy considers the market as a place of innovation and an ecosystem, not in the context of conflict, but rather as a place of competition. It is a philosophy of creating something new, which is not simply knowledge, and putting it into practice in a prompt manner."

Finally, Dr. Aoyama, Chief Director, expressed his gratitude to all of the lecturers, presenters and participants. The symposium successfully closed to enthusiastic rounds of applause.

Achievement

SY2017

The following peer-reviewed research paper written by Yuichi Yoda (Associate Professor, Ritsumeikan University) was published by “Asia Pacific Business & Economics Perspectives, Summer 2017”.

Abstract

This study focuses on the aspects of corporate transformation that are essential to business growth. I infer that management practice based on the “Inamori management philosophy” is more effective and functions as a kind of driving force when tackling corporate transformations such as corporate revitalization and PMI (Post –Merger Integration). Based on this awareness, this study applied a case study to the enterprise transformation of Kyocera Mita Corporation with the aim of exploring the theoretical implications from the point of view of business administration. In the previous research, the effectiveness of Kyocera Corporation's management was explained in the concept of amoeba management, which is a method of superior management accounting (e.g., Adler and Hiromoto 2012, Amoeba Management Academic Community 2010). However, there is inadequate research beyond corporate boundaries regarding the effectiveness of philosophy-based management systems for corporate transformation. In theoretical conclusion, the Inamori management philosophy works effectively to facilitate resolution of issues of confrontation and works dynamically while changing its form independently according to the business model and the characteristics of the organizational culture for promoting corporate transformation. Additionally, I would like to share the practical implications of the finding that management practice based on the Inamori management philosophy is also effective as a management method from the perspective of company reform. In summary, the philosophy-based management promoted sense of unity, strong willpower and cost consciousness effectively for revitalization.

SY2017

The following research paper written by Tsukasa Yamanaka (Associate Professor, Ritsumeikan University) and Ayako Hirano (Lecturer, Language Education Center, Ritsumeikan University) was published by “The International Journal of Interdisciplinary Social Sciences”.

Abstract

This paper discusses the value of a learning style, RITA-learning, in which learners manifest “RITA,” a Japanese word meaning an altruistic sense of supporting each other, in their communication. In Japanese education, three learning styles, namely self-learning, peer teaching, and RITA-learning, have been employed. Especially, self-learning and peer teaching styles are widely introduced in a classroom setting. In the style of self-learning, the range of learning outcomes is limited; in other words, it never goes beyond the learners’ capacity. Another learning style, peer teaching, is more effective in encouraging students than self-learning because it offers a learning environment in which learners support each other. However, in reality, this approach sometimes contributes primarily to helping teachers, when good students provide their knowledge to poor students. Besides, this approach only guides students to review what they have already learned and strengthened their memory, and they do not have a chance to create something else. In contrast, RITA-learning can enhance learners feeling of learning because one of its characteristics is guiding students to look for a way to contribute to peers’ projects proactively. RITA-learning also brings about unique group dynamics and cultivates students that are capable of self-directed learning. In addition, it can be the most functional approach to achieving an educational goal. These claims are supported by pragmatism, a theoretical framework, as well as the results of our practical implementation. Considering the limitations of self-learning and peer teaching, RITA-learning is more effective in enhancing learners’ feeling of learning. Lastly, this paper proposes how to implement RITA-learning in a coursework design.


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