GMBAGlobal MBA Program

Project 1-B (Field Research) and Project 2-B (Field Research), for Global MBA (GMBA) Program students in Year 1 and Year 2 respectively, is offered only in special cases for GMBA students who have been permitted to take these courses instead of Project 1-A (Internship) and Project 2-A (Internship) for the following reason.

In certain special cases, students may be accepted into the GMBA program with the understanding that they are unable to participate in Project 1-A (Internship) and Project 2-A (Internship) for the following specific reasons (to be pre-approved by the faculty):
- People with concurrent full-time jobs who are unable to take leave of absence
- People with full-time childcare duties who are unable to be away from home
- Special institutional arrangements requiring a field research project
- Special company dispatches requiring a field research project

In these cases, students may be permitted to take Project 1-B (Field Research) and Project 2-B (Field Research) instead, with the specific Field Research project to be carried out under supervision of the faculty in order to provide an equivalent experience to the internship courses. (Such cases result form GMBA program decisions, not simply because the student prefers to do a Field Research project.)

The purpose of the Project 1-A & 2-A (Internship) and the Project 1-B & 2-B (Field Research) courses is to provide a real-world business learning experience known as Project-based Learning or Active Learning, in support of the course work encountered in the GMBA program.

As the mission of the Business School of Innovation Management is to foster innovation practitioners in companies, organizations and society at large, grounded in management theory & practice, critical thinking, and effective communication, the emphasis of this Field Research project work is not purely academic. Rather, the focus is on practical analysis and problem-solving on par with the type of problems encountered by management professionals. Accordingly the reports and presentations of this course do not constitute a standard Master's Thesis, nor do they necessarily guarantee advancement to further doctoral study such as PhD.

This course also contributes to the three core learning objectives of the GMBA Program, which are to instill the following skills:
1 Practical Management Competency
2 Critical Analysis Competency
3 Communication Competency

Field Research provides real-world business learning experiences. Project 1-B (Field Research) in Academic Year 1 and Project 2- B (Field Research) in Academic Year 2 correspond to the “project method” (also known as Project-based Learning) used in the Japanese MBA programs residing in the Business School along side the English-language GMBA program, in which learning is facilitated though the exploration of practical, real-world problem solving. This enables the student to acquire working knowledge and develop critical assessment abilities that form a solid foundation for a career as a management professional.

The emphasis of this project work is not purely academic, but rather the focus is on practical analysis and problem-solving on par with the type of problems encountered by management professionals, especially those in Japanese organizations or organizations based in Japan.

It is permissible but not required for the Project 2-B (Field Research) project in Year 2 to build on the work done in Year 1 for the Project 1-B (Field Research) project

Goals:
- To acquire real-world working knowledge of innovation practitioners grounded in management theory and practice
-To experience real-world work conditions in Japan, in order to cultivate the critical thinking skills of innovation practitioners
- To cultivate the global perspective that the GMBA program values, through exposure to intensive Japanese language and cultural learning, in order to become innovation practitioners grounded in effective communication

Will be able to gain“DP1”,“DP2”,“DP3”,“DP4”and“DP5”.

英語 / English

The student is to develop and carry out a Field Research project plan in consultation with and under the guidance of a faculty advisor or advisors. In order to do this, the student will first identify a general area or areas of interest based on past and current work experience and career interest. Then with this as a starting point, the student will meet with the faculty advisor(s) to be determined by the GMBA faculty.

The project is to be identified through the literature search and consultation with the faculty adviser(s) to identify a company or topic for the project. Appropriate methods of inquiry both qualitative and quantitative will be used, including but not limited to interviews, survey questionnaires and data analysis. The findings of the project should be synthesized into business recommendations and summarized in a project report. Upon approval by the faculty adviser(s), the report will be submitted to the GMBA Administrative office.

In the process of the above consultation, specific goals and procedures will be identified, and specific deliverables clarified. While the exact form and format of these deliverables is up to the faculty advisor(s), they will likely include development in turn of a problem statement, project thesis, project plan, and initial, midterm, and final reports.

It is permissible but not required for the Project 2-B (Field Research)h project in Year 2 to build on the work done in Year 1 for the Project 1-B (Field Research) project.

The emphasis of this project work is not purely academic, but rather the focus is on practical analysis and problem-solving on par with the type of problems encountered by management professionals, especially those in Japanese organizations or organizations based in Japan.

Although the Field Research project is not strictly comparable to the Internships on an hourly basis, the student should keep in mind that the internships require over 160 hours. Using that as a general baseline, over the course of a 4-6 month project, the student will likely spend at least 5-10 hours per week minimum on the project.

The deliverables ( problem statement, project thesis, project plan, and initial, midterm, and final report) will be written in English, and based on regular (weekly-to-monthly) meetings with the faculty advisor(s). The final report is due a week prior to the Internship Presentation Conference to be held about February of each year, and will be accompanied by a Final Faculty Presentation to the faculty advisor(s) and other relevant faculty.

A Final Presentation will be made at the Internship Presentation Conference in Tokyo (usually in English but Japanese also possible for students whose English ability is stronger than their Japanese ability).

あり / Yes

あり / Yes

授業形態/methods of teaching：対面/face to face

※各回の授業形態は予定です。教員の指示に従ってください。

1[対面/face to face]：Orientation

General guidance on the process of Field Research project

2[対面/face to face]：Research Methods Overview

Overview of general Field Research methodology

3[対面/face to face]：Problem Identification

Identification of general problem

4[対面/face to face]：Problem Development

Development of problem issues

5[対面/face to face]：Presentation of Problem Statement

Presentation of arrived at problem statement for discussion by faculty advisor(s)

6[対面/face to face]：Project Planning

Discussion and development of project approach

7[対面/face to face]：Literature Review

Review of literature relevant to the project topic, problem, and methodology

8[対面/face to face]：Project Design

Bring together project approach and findings from the literature search into a design of the project

9[対面/face to face]：Presentation of Project Plan

Presentation of arrived at project design for discussion by faculty advisor(s)

10[対面/face to face]：Field Work 1

Planning of field work (company visits, survey questionnaires, etc)

11[対面/face to face]：Field Work 2

Carrying out of field work

12[対面/face to face]：Project Conclusion

Synthesis of problem findings into business recommendations

13[対面/face to face]：Faculty Presentation

Presentation of project findings and recommendations to faculty advisor(s)

14[対面/face to face]：Final Presentation

General Presentation of project findings and recommendations at Internship Presentation Conference

The student is to develop and carry out a field research project plan in consultation with and under the guidance of a faculty advisor or advisors.

In order to do this, the student will first identify and general areas of interest based on past and current work experience and career interest, and with this as a starting point, faculty advisor(s) will be determined by the GMBA faculty (but will include the faculty assigned to this course).

The field research is to be conducted through the literature search, and in consultation with the faculty adviser(s) to identify a company and/or topic for the project. Appropriate methods of inquiry both qualitative and quantitative will be used, including but not limited to interviews, survey questionnaires, and data analysis. All of this will be supported by the management principles being learned in the GMBA courses. The findings of the project should be synthesized into business recommendations and summarized in a project report. Upon approval by the faculty adviser(s), the report will be submitted to the GMBA Administrative office.

In the process of the above consultation, specific goals and procedures will be identified, and specific deliverables clarified. While the exact form and format of these deliverables is up to the faculty advisor(s), they will likely include development in turn of a problem statement, project thesis, project plan, and initial, midterm, and final reports.

These deliverables will be written in English, and based on regular (weekly-to-monthly) meetings with faculty advisor(s). The final report is due a week prior to the Internship Presentation Conference to be held about February of each year.

Towards the end of the project, the student will make a Final Faculty Presentation to the faculty advisor(s) and any other relevant faculty members, in which the student presents the field research topic, problem, analytical approach, findings and field research conclusion. This is done in English.

After the Field Research is finished, a Final Presentation will be made at the Internship Presentation Conference in Tokyo. This is a simplified version of the Faculty Presentation, suited for a general audience. This presentation is generally in English, although students for whom their English is stronger than their Japanese may challenge themselves to presenting in Japanese if they desire.

It is permissible but not required for the Project 2-B (Field Research)h project in Year 2 to build on the work done in Year 1 for the Project 1-B (Field Research) project.

The emphasis of this project work is not purely academic, but rather the focus is on practical analysis and problem-solving on par with the type of problems encountered by management professionals, especially those in Japanese organizations or organizations based in Japan.

(Although the Field Research project is not strictly comparable to the Internships on an hourly basis, the student should keep in mind that the internships require over 160 hours. Using that as a general baseline, over the course of a 4-6 month project, the student will likely spend at least 5-10 hours per week minimum on the project.)

Not applicable

Not applicable

[Final grade is determined by]
・Administrative Cooperation 30%
・Professional Communications 30%
・Project Planning & Execution 40%

Students will be judged on their overall professional attitude, completion of assigned tasks, development the Field Research project, and findings resulting from the project.

The assigned tasks include:
- Attendance at orientation and regular meetings with the faculty advisor(s)
- Creation of a problem statement, research thesis, and research plan (detailed instructions to be provided during the orientation period)
- On-time submission of initial, midterm, and final reports (detailed instructions to be provided during the orientation period)
- Presentation of Field Research project at the Final Faculty Presentation (in English) and at the Internship Presentation Conference (usually in English but Japanese also possible for students whose English ability is stronger than their Japanese ability)
Detailed instructions on the above task will be provided during the orientation period and via the regular faculty advisor meetings.

Professional attitude will be judge on characteristics including the following:
- Positive and cooperative attitude during the orientation and assignment period
- Active participation in all aspects of the Field Research Project
- Proper and business-like communications in email and report submissions, etc.
- Critical assessment and decision-making during the internship
- Collegial relationships with faculty advisor(s) and other faculty
- Responsible communication with the GMBA program office, GMBA faculty, and adherence to rules and guidelines

For Project 1-B students, assessment of the Field Research project will place greater weight on the planning and the implementation of the project than it will for the project results.

For Project 2-B students, assessment of the Field Research project will weight the planning/implementation of the project and the development of project results evenly.



Overall assessments are made in consideration of the three core learning objectives of the GMBA Program, which are instilling the following competencies:

1 Practical Management Competency

Learning Outcome 1a. Management Planning:
Student demonstrates competency in the application of the principles of management theory & practice to the planning of new business and/or the assessment of existing business

Learning Outcome 1b. Strategy Execution:
Student demonstrates competency in the application of the principles of management strategy to the planning of new business and/or the assessment of existing business


2 Critical Analytical Competency

Learning Outcome 2a. Hypothesis Setting:
Demonstrates competency in the formulation of hypotheses used to validate the planning of new business and/or the assessment of existing business

Learning Outcome 2b. Hypothesis Testing:
Demonstrates competency in the evaluation of hypotheses used to validate the planning of new business and/or the assessment of existing business


3 Communication Competency

Learning Outcome 3a. Written Communication
Demonstrates competency in professional written communication

Learning Outcome 3b. Spoken Communication
Demonstrates competency in professional spoken communication

Not applicable

Students should have use of a computer for internet research, communication and writing, should bring the computer to their internships, and have access to the internet as well.

As the mission of the Business School of Innovation Management is to foster innovation practitioners in companies, organizations and society at large, grounded in management theory & practice, critical thinking, and effective communication, the emphasis of this Field Research project work is not purely academic. Rather, the focus is on practical analysis and problem-solving on par with the type of problems encountered by management professionals, especially those in Japanese organizations or organizations based in Japan. Given this objective, Field Research reports and presentations are not modeled after typical academic papers, but instead should take the form and style of standard business materials. It does not constitute a standard Master's Thesis.

Moreover, the Business School of Innovation Management is a Professional School, not a research-oriented Master's degree program. For these reasons, the completion of the Field Research project and the attainment of the MBA degree itself do not necessarily guarantee advancement to further doctoral study such as PhD. The decision as to whether the Field Research work supports such advancement is solely at the discretion of the academic program the student may apply to in the future.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, courses this year will be held either in person or online according to the decisions of Hosei University, the Business School of Innovation Management, and the GMBA Program. Please check the university website and communications from the university for the final decision each quarter. In case of online course, please check the HOPPII system (学習支援システム) for specific online instructions of each course.