Research Project

Joint International Research Project
Rita (Altruistic) Leadership’

Project leader:Eugene Choi

崔 裕眞

Project members

Project leader
Eugene ChoiProfessor at the Graduate School of Technology Management, Ritsumeikan University
Project members
Ikujiro NonakaProfessor Emeritus at Hitotsubashi University
Kimio KaseProfessor at IESE Business School, University of Navarra. Professor Emeritus at International University of Japan. Adjunct Professor at Beijing Normal University. Affiliate Professor at OIC Research Organization, Ritsumeikan University
Roy SuddabyProfessor at Gustavson Business School of University of Victoria and Liverpool University Business School. Affiliate Professor at OIC Research Organization, Ritsumeikan University
Daniel WadhwaniFletcher Jones Professor of Entrepreneurship at University of the Pacific. Adjunct Professor at University of Southern California. Affiliate Professor at OIC Research Organization, Ritsumeikan University
Charles HarveyProfessor of Business History and Management and Director of the Centre for Research on Entrepreneurship, Wealth, and Philanthropy, Newcastle University Business School. Affiliate Professor at OIC Research Organization, Ritsumeikan University
John WilsonProfessor & Pro Vice-Chancellor at Northumbria University. Affiliate Professor at OIC Research Organization, Ritsumeikan University
Anna TilbaAssociate Professor in Management and Marketing in the Business School at Durham University. Affiliate Associate Professor at OIC Research Organization, Ritsumeikan University

Research project summary (Objectives/goals (results))

The Japanese leadership program formed by Director Emeritus Dr. Kazuo Inamori is positioned as an altruistic leadership approach, upon which joint international research will be performed. Advanced-level academic research, consisting of the following sub-projects, will look into the creativity and universality of the Inamori philosophy and Amoeba management from three standpoints—(1) management organizations, (2) entrepreneurship, and (3) capitalism, while also taking into account international comparative analysis with examples overseas

①‘Rita(Altruistic) business management and leadership’
The Inamori approach to business management is defined by high profile companies with highly charismatic leaders and acutely aware employees that are able to achieve the participation of all employees in management. Inamori management and the fractal organization theory put forth by Professor Nonaka go hand in hand with one another on both an empirical and theoretical level. Altruistic leadership will be presented as demonstrative proof of Professor Nonaka’s phronesis and fractal theories, and we will show business academic circles the latest organizational theory model in which these philosophies and altruistic leadership is used to generate and evolve the participation of all employees in management.
②‘Rita(Altruistic) entrepreneurship and management philosophy’
Based on Kyocera’s history as a venture company, this research attempts to demonstrate Director Emeritus Inamori’s outstanding entrepreneurial approach from an academic standpoint. To achieve this we need to form a historical reconstruction of the creative/evolutionary processes taken using the conceptualization of altruistic leadership—essential for entrepreneurship using the founding of Kyocera as a case study—as a starting point. We will examine and classify Director Emeritus Inamori’s thought process, decision making, and actions on a timeline from the company’s founding to the current day, and clarify the unchanging conceptual context inherent in altruistic entrepreneurship.
③‘Entrepreneurial Philanthropy and Rita(Altruistic) capitalism’
While widening disparity caused by the concentration and uneven distribution of massive amounts of wealth is an unavoidable side effect with modern day capitalism, this research will look at and theorize the inherent potential of altruistic social contribution activities led by entrepreneurs of their own accord. We will academically analyze and create case examples out of practical activities implemented by the Inamori Foundation and Seiwajyuku. We hope to demonstrate to society a form of altruistic capitalism and society by elucidating on the function of altruistic activities put forth by entrepreneurs in capitalist society, and exploring ways in which such activities can be promoted.

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