Unit on Climate Change,Research and Development Initiative, Chuo University

Professor Satoko Watanabe

Satoko Watanabe

Professor
Research and Development Initiative
Chuo University

Chuo University Research and Development Initiative
1-13-27 Kasuga, Bunkyou-ku, Tokyo 112-8551 Japan
Tel ＋81-3-3817-1626

Satoko Watanabe is a Japanese sociologist specializing in management, organizational behavior and the comparative study of economy and society. She has been active for many years in the field of comparative research on human resource management, leadership, motivation, employment relations, intercorporate networks, and corporate governance. She has carried out extensive research on these subjects in the United States, Europe and Asia as well as in Japan. Much of her work takes up the issues of organization at the interface of sociology, economics, and psychology, linking societal and organizational institutions to individual needs and outcomes. She has published a number of books in these areas, including Japanese Management for a Globalized World: The Strength of the Lean, Trusting and Outward-Looking Firm published recently from Palgrave Macmillan.

Her research interests also include social and economic policy, environmental issues and adaptation to climate change. She is engaged in building a new social model for economic sustainability and social integration. The results of her joint research with Anthony Giddens (former professor of Cambridge University, former Director of the London School of Economics and currently a member of the British House of Lords) were published in Nihon no arata na “daisan no michi”: Shijoshugi kaikaku to fukushi kaikaku no doji suishin ([Japan’s New “Third Way”: Promoting Market Reform and Welfare Reform in Tandem].

Degrees

  • University of Tokyo, B. A. Sociology
    Western College for Women (Oxford, Ohio), B. A. Sociology [Sankei Scholarship to study abroad for a year]
  • Boston University, M. A. Sociology
  • Boston University, Ph. D. Sociology

Positions held

  • 1988 – 1990
    Assistant Professor, Graduate School of International Relations,
    International University of Japan
  • 1990 – 1997
    Associate Professor, Graduate School of International Relations,
    International University of Japan
  • 1997 – 2012
    Professor, Department of Sociology, Sophia University
  • 2002 – 2004
    Chair of the Department of Sociology, Sophia University
  • 2014 – present
    Professor, Research and Development Initiative, Chuo University

Other Appointments

  • 1980 – 1983
    Visiting Researcher, National Institute for Environmental Studies, the Ministry of Environment, Japan
  • 1981 – 1983
    Adviser to the Small Business Corporation, Small and Medium Enterprise Agency of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Japan
  • 1986
    Visiting Professor, Tsukuba University
  • 1995 – 1996
    Member of the Research Committee for the Development of Creative Capabilities of Workers, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, Japan
  • 1995 – 1996
    Visiting Professor, University of Tokyo
  • 2001 – 2002
    Member of an Industrial Structure Council of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Japan.
  • 2002 – 2004
    Member of an Educational Council of the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, Japan
  • 2002 – 2004
    Member of an Educational Council of Kanagawa Academy of Science and Technology
  • 2004
    Visiting Scholar, London School of Economics
  • 2006 – 2008
    Member of the Fellowship Evaluation Committee, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, Japan
  • 2011 – 2012
    Senior Fellow, Global Communication Center, International University of Japan
  • 2011 – 2015
    Chair of the Foreign Relations Committee, Japan MOT Association
  • 2012 – 2015
    Senior Fellow, Keio Research Institute at SFC, Keio University

Invited Lectures

  • Esso Corporation (Keynote speaker at the annual symposium), 1993.
  • Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, 1993.
  • Labor Problems Research Center of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, Japan, 1995.
  • Tokyo Institute of Technology (Keynote speaker at the university symposium), 1996.
  • Hitachi Corporation, 1996.
  • Tokyo Denki University (Keynote speaker at the university forum), 2001.
  • Academia-Industry Cooperation Promotion Committee of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Japan, 2001.
  • Mizuho Financial Group Research Institute, 2001.
  • Japan Business Federation (Nippon Keidanren) (Keynote speaker at the Leadership Development Forum), 2001.
  • London School of Economics, Department of Sociology, 2004.
  • Japan Association of Corporate Executives, 2007.
  • Academic Association for Organizational Science, 2007.
  • International Management Association, 2008.
  • Center for Global Communications of the International University of Japan, 2010.
  • University of Tokyo (Academia-Industry Consortium), 2010.
  • IBM Japan (Distinguished Lecturer Series), 2011.
  • Japan MOT Association (Executive Seminar Ⅱ), 2015.
  • Japan MOT Association (Executive Seminar Ⅲ), 2017.
  • Japan MOT Association (Executive Seminar Ⅳ), 2019.

Research Grants

  • “Worldwide Study of Image of Japan” under the auspices of a Grant in Aid, from the Scientific Research Fund of the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture (1980 – 1985).
  • “Pollution of the Lake Suwa and the Social Values of the Residents” under the auspices of a Grant in Aid, from the Scientific Research Fund of the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture (1982 1985)
  • “Globalization of Japanese Corporations and Intercultural Human Relations―A Survey on Japanese Subsidiaries in the U.S. and the U.K.” under the auspices of a Grant in Aid from Foundation of International Education (1991 – 1992).
  • “Intraorganizational Communication Gap in American Subsidiaries of Japanese Firms” under the auspices of a Grant in Aid from Foundation of International Education (1989 ­ 1990).
  • “Communication Gap between Expatriates and Local Employees in Japanese Subsidiaries in the U.S.” under the auspices of Esso Research Grants for Women (1991 1992).
  • “Comparative Study on Communication Gap in the Overseas Subsidiaries of Japanese Firms: Survey among Local Employees in the U.S., U.K. and Germany” under the auspices of a Research Grant from Asahi Glass Foundation (1993 1995).
  • “Self-actualization and Distributive Justice in Organizations under Restructuring” under the auspices of a Research Grant From the Japan Economic Research Foundation (2000 – 2001).
  • “Self-actualization and Distributive Justice: A Comparative Study of Japan and the U.K.” under the auspices of a Grant in Aid, from the Scientific Research Fund of the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture (2004 2007).
  • “Motivating Flexible Employees ” under the auspices of a Research Grant From the Japan Economic Research Foundation (2008 – 2011).

PUBLICATIONS

BOOKS
  • Japanese Management for a Globalized World: The Strength of the Lean, Trusting and Outward-Looking Firm (Palgrave Macmillan, 2018).
  • Gurōbaruka no naka no Nihon-gata Keiei [Globalization and Japanese Management: A Hybrid Model for the Future]. Tokyo: Dōbunkan Shuppan, 2015 (in Japanese)
  • Nihon no Aratana Daisan no Michi [Japan’s New Third Way] (Coauthored by Anthony Giddens and Satoko Watanabe). Tokyo: Diamond Company, 2009 (in Japanese)
  • Gurōbaru Jidai no Jinteki Shigenron [Work, Motivation and Empowerment in the Global Age] (Coauthored by Satoko Watanabe, Anthony Giddens and Takatoshi Imada). Tokyo: University of Tokyo Press, 2008 (in Japanese)
  • Ikigai Sōzō eno Soshiki Henkaku [Selfactualization and Organizational Transformation] (2nd and revised edition). Tokyo : Tōyō Keizai Shinpōsha, 2004 (in Japanese)
  • Posuto Nihongata Keiei [Post-Japanese Management]. Tokyo : The Japan Institute for Labour Policy and Training, 1997 (in Japanese)
  • Ikigai Sōzō eno Soshiki Henkaku [Selfactualization and Organizational Transformation]. Tokyo : Tōyō Keizai Shinpōsha, 1994 (in Japanese)
Substantial Articles and Papers
  • 2017 “On ‘Rational Choice Theory’: Globalization and Conventionalization of Rationality,” Sociological Studies, No. 41, (March, 2017) pp. 31-46. (in Japanese)
  • 2015 “Motivation Research and Its Application to Management Studies: From the Viewpoint of Management Studies,” Japanese Association of Industrial/ Organizational Psychology Journal (Official Journal of Japanese Association of Industrial/Organizational Psychology), Vo. 28, No. 2, (March, 2015) pp. 77-87. (in Japanese)
  • 2015 “Value Change for Advancing Low Carbon Society and Its Policy Implications,” Sociological Studies, No. 39, (March, 2015) pp. 1-23. (in Japanese)
  • 2014 “Socio-economic Change and Human Resource Management: Toward a Sustainable Organization,” Sociological Studies, No. 38, (March, 2014) pp. 1-24. (in English)
  • 2011 “Human Resource Policies Adapting to Local Environment: The Case of Chinese and Indian Subsidiaries of Japanese Firms,” Shakaigaku Ronshu, No. 35, (March, 2011) pp. 1-35. (in Japanese)
  • 2009 “Work-related Values and Post-modernism,” Shakaigaku Ronshu, No. 33, (March, 2009) pp. 1-29. (in Japanese )
  • 2009 “Human Resources Policy for Activating Organization and the Members,” HR Vision, No. 2, pp. 5-9. (in Japanese )
  • 2008 “Leadership in Global Companies: Challenging the Increasing Uncertainty in Multicultural Environment,” Sociological Studies, No. 32, (March, 2008) pp. 1-25. (in Japanese)
  • 2007 “New Human Resource Policy: Adaptation to Change in Socio-economic Structure,” Shakaigaku Ronshu, No. 31, (March, 2007) pp. 1-26. (in Japanese)
  • 2006 “British Factory: Transformation in the Past 40 Years: In Search of New Employment Relations,” Shakaigaku Ronshu, No. 30, (March, 2006) pp. 1-26. (in Japanese )
  • 2005 “The Changing Nature of the Work Ethic: A Comparison of the UK and Japan,” Sociological Studies, No. 29, (March, 2005) pp. 19-50. (in English)
  • 2003 “Two Contrasting Paradigms in Organizational Theory: Power Relations vs. Cooperation,” Sociological Studies , No. 27 (March 2003), pp. 1-20. (in Japanese)
  • 2002 “Decline of Main Bank Capitalism and Changes in Corporate Governance in Japan,” Shakaigaku Ronshu , No. 26 (March 2002), pp. 19-43. (in Japanese)
  • 2002 “Leadership in Japanese Society,” Works, No. 38, pp. 22-28. (in Japanese)
  • 2000 “The Inter-firm Networks of Japanese Business: The Present and Future,” Sociological Studies, No. 24 (March, 2000), pp. 1-20. (in Japanese)
  • 1999 “Mental Health at the Workplace,” Human Resources Development, Vol. 11, No. 5 (May, 1999), pp. 44-48. (in Japanese)
  • 1998 “Manager-subordinate Relationship in Cross-cultural Organizations: The Case of Japanese Subsidiaries in the United States,” International Journal of Japanese Sociology, No. 7 (November, 1998), pp. 23-44. (Official Journal of the Japan Sociological Society) (in English)
  • 1996 “Self actualization at the Workplace”, Kanko Rodo, Vol. 50, No. 2 (February, 1996), pp. 2630. (in Japanese)
  • 1996 “Business Environment in Germany and Human Resource Management in Japanese Subsidiaries in Germany―(3) Performance Evaluation System and Human Resource Development,” Human Resources Development, Vol. 8, No. 1 (January, 1996), pp. 6468. (in Japanese)
  • 1995 “Intercultural Perceptions at the Workplace: The Case of the British Subsidiaries of Japanese Firms,” Human Relations, Vol. 48, No. 5, pp. 581607. (in English)
  • 1995 “Business Environment in Germany and Human Resource Management in Japanese Subsidiaries in Germany―(2) Localization Policy in Japanese Companies,” Human Resources Development, Vol. 7, No. 12 (December, 1995), pp. 5457. (in Japanese)
  • 1995 “Business Environment in Germany and Human Resource Management in Japanese Subsidiaries in Germany―(1) Employment Practice and Labor Relations in Germany,” Hunan Resources Development, Vol. 7, No. 11 (November, 1995) pp. 6468. (in Japanese)
  • 1995 “Selfactualization and Needs of Japanese Workers: Changing Values and Work Ethic”, Keizai to Rodo (Economy and Labor) (1995 Special Issue), pp. 211. (in Japanese)
  • 1995 “Comparative Study on Communications Gap in the Overseas Subsidiaries of Japanese Firms: A Survey among Local Employees in the U.S., U.K. and Germany,” 1995 Asahi Glass Foundation Research Reports, The Asahi Glass Foundation, pp. 647650. (in Japanese)
  • 1995 “Recent Development in Giddens’ Sociology: Concept of Manufactured Risk and New Political Future,” Proceedings of the, 68th Annual Meeting of Japanese Sociological Society. (in Japanese)
  • 1994 “Communication Problems in Multinational Corporations,” Human Resources Development, Vol. 6, No. 5 (August, 1994), pp. 60­63. (in Japanese)
  • 1993 “Measuring Intercultural Perceptions in Business Organizations: The Case of American Subsidiaries of Japanese Firms,” presented at the 88th annual meeting of the American Sociological Association. (in English)
  • 1992 “Study on Communication Gap between Expatriate and Local Employees in Japanese Subsidiaries in the U.S.,” Report, Esso Research Grant for Women, No. 10, Public Relations Department, Esso Corporation. (in Japanese)
  • 1991 “Japanese Work Values and Motivation of Local Employees in the American Subsidiaries of Japanese Firms,” The Keizai Hyoron, Vol. 40, No. 2 (November, 1991), pp. 86102. (in Japanese)
  • 1991 “Intercultural Communication Problems in the Japanese Subsidiaries in the US,”The Keizai Hyoron, Vol.40, No.11 (February, 1991), pp.3956. (in Japanese)
  • 1991 “Intercultural Communication Problems in the Japanese Subsidiaries in the US,”Proceedings of the 30th International Congress of International Institute of Sociology. (in English)
  • 1991 “Study on the Communications Gap between the Expatriates and Locals in the US Subsidiaries of Japanese Firms,” Proceedings of the 64th Annual Meeting of Japanese Sociological Society. (in Japanese)
  • 1990 “The Longterm Trends in the Americans’ Perceptions of Japanese,” Japanese Sociological Review (Official Journal of Japan Sociological Society), Vol. 41, No. 1 (June, 1990), pp. 5564. (in Japanese)
  • 1990 “Postindustrialism and American Labor System,” Tsukuba Journal of Sociology, No. 15 (March, 1990), pp. 117. (in English)
  • 1990 “JapanU.S. Trade Friction and the Americans’ Perceptions of Japanese,” The Keizai Hyoron, Vol. 39, No. 1 (January, 1990), pp. 215. (in Japanese)
  • 1988 “Sociological Thinking and Critique of Orthodox Economics in Marx, Weber and Veblen,” Tsukuba Journal of Sociology, No. 13, pp. 4762. (in Japanese)
  • 1984 “The Transformation of American Industrial Structure and the Changes in Wage Payment System,” Chingin to Shakai Hosho (Wage and Social Security) No. 898 (September, 1984), pp. 3035. (in Japanese)
  • 1984 “On Promotion Systems of American Companies: From the Marketoriented to the Organizationoriented Type,” The Keizai Hyoron, Vol. 33, No. 6, 1984 “The Embourgeoisement Thesis and the American Class Structure,” Tsukuba Journal of Sociology, Vol. 7, No. 1 & 2 (March, 1984), pp. 3959. (in English)
  • 1984 “Pollution of the Lake Suwa and the Social Values of the Residents,” Joint Midterm Report, Grant in Aid from the Scientific Research Fund of the Ministry of Education, pp. 99104. (in Japanese)
  • 1983 “The Impact of Automobile Traffic on Social Life of Street Residents,” Japanese Sociological Review (Official Journal of Japan Sociological Society), Vol. 34, No.1 (June, 1983), pp. 5465. (in Japanese)
  • 1982 “Assessment of the Social Impact of Automobile Traffic in Tsuchiuracity,” Report on Comprehensive Evaluation of Environmental Impacts of Road and Traffic, National Institute of Environmental Studies, Japan Environment Agency, No. 35, pp. 117133. (in Japanese)
  • 1981 “Automobiles and Community Life,” Proceedings of the 54th Annual Meeting of the Japan Sociological Society. (in Japanese)
  • 1980 “Workers Market Behavior and the Dual Economy: the Analysis of Interindustry Variation in Quit Rate in the United States,” Japanese Sociological Review (Official Journal of the Japan Sociological Society), Vol. 31, No. 1 (June, 1980)
  • 1980 “The Employment Systems of Advanced Capitalism: the Case of the United States,” Ph.D. Dissertation, Boston University. (in English)
Newspaper Articles
  • 2010 “On Compatibility of Market Prosperity and Welfare State ,” The Nihon Keizai Shimbun, November 5. (in Japanese)
  • 2001 “Corporate Human Resources and the Role of the University,” The Nihon Keizai Shimbun, January 29, 30, 31 and February 1, 2, 5. (in Japanese)
  • 1995 “Selfactualization and Organizations,” The Nihon Keizai Shimbun, March 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29. (in Japanese)
  • 1997 “Restructuring and Participatory Management,” The Nihon Keizai Shimbun, July 30. (in Japanese)
  • 1994 “Perception Gap Plagues Japanese Firms in the U.S.,” The Nikkei Weekly, May 16. (in English)
  • 1994 “JapanU.S. Communication Barriers in American Subsidiaries of Japanese Firms,” The Nihon Keizai Shimbun, April 16. (in Japanese)
  • 1988 “Editorial Advertizement,” The Nihon Keizai Shinbun, February 27. (in Japanese)
Translation
  • E. Babbie, The Practice of Social Research II (Practice and Analysis), (from English into Japanese). Tokyo : Baihukann, 2005
  • E. Babbie, The Practice of Social Research I (Basics), (from English into Japanese), Tokyo : Baihukann, 2003