This paper examines how firm practices that could contribute to worker attainment of work-life balance (WLB) affect the total factor productivity (TFP) of a firm, by using panel data of Japanese firms from the 1990s. We observed a positive correlation between the WLB practices and TFP among...

Recently, many small and medium enterprises in the Japanese food manufacturing industry have expanded their business overseas through export. In this study, we explore the determinants of exporting activity at the plant-level, paying particular attention to product price and quality as well as...

This study investigates the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) on domestic corporate performance using firm-level data on Japanese automobile parts suppliers. While previous studies used the propensity score matching method and focused mainly on the impact of the extensive margin of FDI,...

The number of temporary workers in Japan's labor market has increased rapidly since the 1990s. This trend is particularly remarkable in the manufacturing sector, which now relies on sales to foreign markets. This paper formalizes the idea that global competition may encourage manufactures to...

This paper attempts to clarify the reasons for the rapid growth of FDI in developing countries, particularly East Asian countries, compared with that of FDI to developed countries. To do this, we will examine the mechanics of HFDI and VFDI with shedding light on the role of trade costs. Our...

This paper examines how firms' policies for workers' work-life balance (WLB) affect total factor productivity (TFP) in the long run, by using panel data of Japanese firms from the 1990s. Although we observed a positive correlation between firms' WLB policies and their TFP, once controlling for...

This paper examines productivity analysis - using firm and business level data, which has rapidly become popular in recent years - from the perspective of three influential factors, namely, entry and exit, globalization, and innovation and systemic reform. It also examines technical aspects,...

Amid the collapse of Japan's bubble economy and the intensification of international competition in the 1990s, Japanese companies made steady progress in launching operations overseas. It is thought that companies engaging in global activity increase their productivity at company level through...

This thesis examines regional disparities in fertility rates, and analyzes the influence of regional factors on birth trends and continuation in employment. For this analysis, while controlling for individual attributes such as type of work, age, and academic career, by combining microdata and...

In the face of increasing longevity and rapid aging, the creation of an "active aging society" where highly-skilled seasoned elderly people will be tapped as a valuable human resource is necessary, particularly for the sake of maintaining a vigorous Japanese economy. To this end, it is critical...