Higher Education and Entrepreneurs in Pre-war Japan: Focusing on the Humanities and Social Sciences

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K02398
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 09010:Education-related
• Research Institution: Wakayama University
• Principal Investigator: Nagahiro Toshitaka 和歌山大学, 経済学部, 教授 (60432598)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 高等教育 / 丁稚制度 / 徒弟制度 / 学校 / 高等商業学校 / 起業

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study examined the relationship between the education system and entrepreneurs in pre-war Japan. Quantitative analysis of entrepreneurs revealed that, in pre-war Japan, not only the formal school system but also informal education systems played an important role. The informal education systems referred to here include the apprenticeship system.This study analyzed cases of individuals who started their own businesses after completing apprenticeships, compared the roles of apprentices and salaried workers through self-help books, and examined the employment process at higher commercial schools.

Free Research Field

経済史・経営史

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

現在の日本では、丁稚・徒弟制度は存在しないが、これをインフォーマルな教育制度として捉えれば、職業に必要な技能は、フォーマルな学校教育のみならず、インフォーマルな制度で獲得される可能性が示唆される。