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An Empirical Investigation of Factors Affecting the Career Success of Foreign Language Graduates from Japanese Universities

Research Project

Project/Area Number 16K02960
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)

Allocation TypeMulti-year Fund
Section一般
Research Field Foreign language education
Research InstitutionOsaka University

Principal Investigator

Selke Raimond  大阪大学, 言語文化研究科(言語社会専攻、日本語・日本文化専攻), 特任准教授(常勤) (20768303)

Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) 関口 倫紀  京都大学, 経営管理大学院, 教授 (20373110)
MOEHLE ASHLYN  大阪大学, 言語文化研究科(言語社会専攻、日本語・日本文化専攻), 特任講師 (60773819)
ELSHARQAWY ABDEL  大阪大学, 言語文化研究科(言語社会専攻、日本語・日本文化専攻), 特任准教授(常勤) (80774299)
Project Period (FY) 2016-04-01 – 2018-03-31
Project Status Discontinued (Fiscal Year 2016)
Budget Amount *help
¥3,380,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥780,000)
Fiscal Year 2018: ¥1,040,000 (Direct Cost: ¥800,000、Indirect Cost: ¥240,000)
Fiscal Year 2017: ¥1,040,000 (Direct Cost: ¥800,000、Indirect Cost: ¥240,000)
Fiscal Year 2016: ¥1,300,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,000,000、Indirect Cost: ¥300,000)
KeywordsHRM / career choice / internationalization / English in Japan / Western management / Business Interest / career success / student development / foreign language / tracer study
Outline of Annual Research Achievements

The present study discusses the findings from a survey of students in their 3rd or higher year of BA and MA degree programs regarding their perception of Western corporate culture and internationalization in relation to their foreign language (FL) major. The students surveyed (n=445) belong to one of 24 different FL programs. Besides demographics, the respondents were asked to state their level of agreement or disagreement concerning different scenarios they might expect to encounter during their first full-time position in a firm. Data analyses were conducted with SPSS. A sample of students in non-FL majors was used as a control group (n=112).
Significant findings are discussed within the theoretical framework of Stakeholder Theory in Education. FL students have a higher perception and understanding of internationalization than non-FL students. A regression model for internationalization among FL students showed the highest correlation for the factors Evaluation of English for Career, Status of FL, and Business Interest.
The findings have a practical implication for human resource managers, as it became evident which type of students have the highest theoretical potential to help a firm striving for greater internationalization.
One limitation of this study is that survey respondents are affiliated with only one university. A future tracer study could test the model to see whether students with the highest level of agreement to internationalization really are involved after graduation in the internationalization of the firms they are affiliated.

Current Status of Research Progress
Current Status of Research Progress

2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.

Reason

We have done the first stage of analyses and completed the first paper. We have studied the questionnaires of over 600 students on internationalization and western corporate culture, after proof reading we now submit to an international journal
all team members worked good together, our findings are very good in terms of significance, the model we tested is a good base for the 2nd year investigation

Strategy for Future Research Activity

In a previous study (Selke et. al. 2016) the significant findings regarding Japanese Students’ English and Foreign Language Proficiency in Relation to Their Perception of Western Corporate Culture and Internationalization were discussed within the theoretical framework of Stakeholder Theory in Education. FL students have a higher perception and understanding of internationalization than non-FL students. A regression model for internationalization among FL students showed the highest correlation for the factors Evaluation of English for Career, Status of FL, and Business Interest.
In this ongoing research the authors analyze if the regression model for the highest readiness for internationalization corresponds with the current trend in Japanese HRM practice, whereby a certain type of FL graduates is most actively involved in the internationalization process.
As a case study companies and MNC in the Kansai Area were chosen. Data analyses is conducted with SPSS.
The findings provide insights in the current Japanese HRM practice and the whereabouts of FL graduates in a kind of tracer study. The limitation is the small focus on the Kansai area. A broader analyze should include also the Tokyo area as the main region with international acting MNC.

Report

(1 results)
  • 2016 Research-status Report
  • Research Products

    (3 results)

All 2016

All Presentation (3 results) (of which Int'l Joint Research: 1 results,  Invited: 1 results)

  • [Presentation] Current Trends in Foreign Language Teaching in Japan2016

    • Author(s)
      Raimond Selke
    • Organizer
      11th International Conference on Psychology, Language and Teaching
    • Place of Presentation
      IUmperial College, London, England
    • Year and Date
      2016-09-27
    • Related Report
      2016 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Japanese employment systems: Growing divergence and globalization (discussant)2016

    • Author(s)
      Raimond Selke
    • Organizer
      1st Japan Economy Network Conference
    • Place of Presentation
      Japan Centre, Berlin, Germany
    • Year and Date
      2016-08-30
    • Related Report
      2016 Research-status Report
    • Invited
  • [Presentation] An Empirical Investigation of Factors Affecting the Career Success of Foreign Language Graduates from Japanese Universities2016

    • Author(s)
      Raimond Selke, Tomoki Sekiguchi, Ashlyn Moehle, AbdAlRahman Al-sharqawy
    • Organizer
      MICOLLAC 2016, 9th Malaysia International Conference on Languages, Literatures and Cultures
    • Place of Presentation
      Penang, Malaysia, Rainbow Hotel
    • Year and Date
      2016-08-16
    • Related Report
      2016 Research-status Report

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Published: 2016-04-21   Modified: 2018-01-16  

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