多国籍企業学会

August, 2025

President, Japan Academy of Multinational Enterprises

Masahiro Ida (Hannan University)

 

I am Masahiro Ida from Hannan University. I am truly honored and privileged to serve as the President of the Japan Academy of Multinational Enterprises for a 2-year term from August 2025 to July 2027. It is an incredible honor to lead this distinguished academic society, and I am filled with enormous gratitude and responsibility. I am committed to promoting growth and development of our Academy. I sincerely value and appreciate your unwavering support.

Our Academy traces its roots back to 1972, when the Research Group on Multinational Enterprises was established, forming one of the earliest academic organizations on multinational enterprises in Japan at the time. By combining economics and business studies, we have long pursued interdisciplinary research on the structure, strategy, and external environment of multinational enterprises. Together, we have built a strong intellectual foundation for understanding the global economy, publishing numerous books and papers, and providing a platform for broad dialogue. Over the years, I have benefited greatly from this vibrant academic community through collaboration and discussions.

Today, we are facing many new challenges such as “deglobalization” and “management in a divided global economy.” The last wave of globalization—driven by trade, investment, information, labor, and capital mobility—is rapidly losing momentum. The U.S.-China rivalry, the war in Ukraine, economic security concerns, fragmented supply chains, and the resurgence of protectionism are not merely temporary events. To better understand how these changes impact on multinational enterprises requires a re-examination of their roles in the world economy.

Multinational enterprises have evolved as facilitators across institutional, cultural, and political divides among nations. However, their mere existence is increasingly questionable in an era when domestic reorientation and deglobalization strategies are gaining momentum. These profound changes entice us, as researchers, to reconsider traditional theoretical frameworks and adopt new perspectives, such as geopolitics, sustainability, business ethics, and regional restructuring.

In light of these turbulent times, I believe the value of academic research on multinational enterprises is greater than ever. How do firms navigate between multiple institutional systems? How do they confront power and risk? How do they create or destroy value? Multinational enterprises are not merely economic actors. Rather, they are examples of structural contradictions in the contemporary world.

As President, I plan to focus on the following priorities:
1. Enhancing the quality and international appeal of our journal and annual conference.
2. Expanding support systems for junior researchers and graduate students.
3. Promoting open academic exchanges with related academic societies.

An academic society provides a unique platform for diverse views and perspectives. As globalization comes to a crossroads, we should value not only the theoretical framework of the past but also develop new theories to explain current realities of an interconnected world.

Finally, I will work with all the members to ensure that our Academy continues to thrive as a free and innovative scholarly community. In this era of change, I believe in the power of dialogue and solidarity. I am truly grateful for your continuous dedication and strong support.