Seminar Report: Prof. TAKAHASHI Hiroo (Hakuoh University, President of JSBES)
On July 8th, 2014, APU welcomed Professor Hiroo Takahashi (International Management & Business Ethics, Hakuoh University, President of the Japan Society for Business Ethics Study (JSBES) to give a lecture entitled, “The International Competitiveness of the Japanese Service Industry”.
This lecture was attended mainly by undergraduates, MBA and PhD students, and was moderated by Associate Professor KIM Rebecca Chung-hee from the Graduate School of Management at APU.
Starting with an interactive introduction, Professor Takahashi explained some basic terminologies and principles concerning the classifications of industries with a focus on the Japanese service industry. Following a detailed analysis of comparisons of major US and Japanese brands, he elaborated on the weaknesses of Japan’s service industry in international competitiveness. An intriguing case study included a convenience store franchise brand “7-Eleven”, which began as an American ice cube shop, experienced growth and bankruptcy, was later acquired by a Japanese corporation and then finally evolved into a world renowned brand today.
During the Q&A session, some interesting discussions were exchanged, such as how the joint delivery system of 7-Eleven works compared to the conventional one, how entrepreneurial spirit made it possible to promote the international expansion of Japanese products, and what obstacles hinder the internationalisation of Japanese products in other sectors. This lecture was successfully concluded with a round of applause and further discussions amongst the participants even outside the venue.
Written by ZOU, Xiaolong (Edison), PhD Student, GASD
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