Report for the secondment to the Interna1onal University of Japan by Dr. Sylvia Rohlfer, principal researcher of WP3 “Entrepreneuring Management of Human Resources to Unleash Innovation and Forms of Organization”
This report outlines the comprehensive range of activities undertaken during my secondment at the International University of Japan (IUJ) between the 26th of July to the 25th of August 2023.
The visit aimed to foster academic collaboration, explore potential research funding, advance with extant research activities, and contribute to knowledge exchange within the academic community.
- Visit of Google’s Startup Campus:
During the research stay, I was invited to visit the Google’s Startup Campus. This provided valuable insights into the Japanese startup ecosystem, technological advancements, and innovation strategies employed by tech-oriented entrepreneurs supported by Google.
A crucial aspect of this visit involved a meeting with Iñigo Peña Medrano, CEO of Madrid’s accelerator Tetuan Valley. The discussions centered around the ongoing data collection processes and collaboration initiatives for the joint study of academics from the University of Southern Denmark and CUNEF and the non-academic project partner Tetuan Valley. Insights gained during the meeting highlighted the importance of fostering cross-border collaboration to address sustainability management challenges for entrepreneurs in an international business context. In addition to discussing ongoing processes, potential areas for future collaboration were explored. Opportunities for joint research projects and the identification of funding sources were key areas of focus, with an emphasis on sustainable and innovative endeavors.
- Research Presenta4on at Meiji Business School:
I also delivered a research presentation titled “Role of Human Capital for Innovation: Practice, Implications and Outlook” to MBA students, Business School alumni, and academic staff at Meiji Business School in Tokyo. The presentation highlighted the critical role of human capital in driving innovation and its implications for business practices based on the results obtained from EU funded projects. Engaging discussions followed, providing insights from diverse perspectives. A subsequent networking dinner was organized by Prof. Yuhsu Hsu. The interactions covered a wide range of topics, including emerging trends in innovation, challenges in the business landscape, and potential avenues for further collaboration. - Academic Wri4ng Session at Musashino University
A session on academic writing for undergraduate thesis students, both local and international, was conducted at Musashino University. The aim was to provide guidance and support to students in enhancing their academic writing skills to help disseminate and communicate investigations on international business matters. This session facilitated knowledge sharing and cross-cultural learning. This was followed by a networking lunch organized with Prof. Conny Chang to exchange ideas and experiences related to academic research, teaching methodologies, and recent developments in the field. The interaction contributed to expanding professional networks and fostering future collaborations.
- Revision of Research Paper on Innova4on, Culture, and International Business:
Collaborative efforts were dedicated to revising a research paper on the intersection of innovation, culture, and international business. Working closely with Prof. Yingying Zhang-Zhang from the International University of Japan, the paper was finetuned following the feedback received.
- Exploration of JSPR Research Funding Opportunities:
Another key objective was to explore research funding opportunities provided by the Japanese Society for the Promo4on of Science (JSPS) to support and enhance EM4FIT activity and to strengthen ongoing collaborations between EM4FIT consortium partners. Through discussions with IUJ faculty members, potential avenues for securing research funding were identified.
Overall, the secondment stay at the Interna4onal University of Japan encompassed a diverse range of activities, fostering academic collaboration, knowledge exchange, and exploration of funding opportuni4es. These interactions not only contributed to the advancement of my ongoing research but also facilitated meaningful connections within the academic community and the broader business landscape.