We will hold KIMAP Research Seminar on July 1st

We will hold KIMAP Research Seminar on July 1st, 2025.
Those who wish to attend are requested to register by Thursday, June 26th, 2025.

Date and Time

Tuesday, July 1st, 2025
12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m.

Presenter

Dr. Jason D. Schloetzer (Georgetown University, McDonough School of Business)

Title

Adopting New Practices in Decentralized Organizations: The Role of Conscious Discourse in Overcoming the Not-Invented-Here Syndrome and the Moderating Effect of Power Distance

Abstract

Theories on organizational change in decentralized organizations suggest that the not-invented-here syndrome (NIH) makes diffusing new practices difficult. We examine whether–and, if so, how–corporate experts can help organizations overcome this problem. We do so using a 20-month randomized field experiment with a global manufacturer that adopted a new production philosophy across its decentralized manufacturing network. Factories were assigned to one of two conditions: a treatment condition in which corporate experts visited factories to foster conscious discourse on local implementation efforts or a control condition in which factories were asked to implement practices themselves without such support. Consistent with conscious discourse fostered by experts having a favorable impact on the diffusion of new practices, treatment factories implemented new practices faster and adhered more closely to the preferred order of practice implementation than control factories. This impact was partly explained by increased shop floor engagement in the implementation effort, suggesting that aligning expert knowledge with the local context of workers can foster a sense of ownership and motivation. Further, we show that power distance is a critical aspect of this local context, with the mediating role of shop floor mobilization being stronger in more egalitarian (i.e., low power distance) societies, where hierarchical barriers are lower and participatory engagement is more culturally aligned. Overall, this study highlights a novel mechanism through which corporate experts can overcome NIH-related resistance and accelerate change implementation: by fostering reflective dialogue that mobilizes employee support, especially in cultural contexts conducive to participatory engagement.

Venue

In-person: Large Conference Room (GSBA), Rokko-dai 1st Campus, Main Building 3F
Online: Microsoft Teams

Language

English

Intended Participants

Professors, Graduate students including KIMAP students and alumni of Kobe University, who studies Accounting, Business administration and Operation management field.

How to register for this seminar

Please register at the URL below by noon on Thursday, June 26th, 2025.
https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/aede579b-a2a8-4079-b227-6732e0c8c506@20ee4c80-87bd-422c-a506-3a2b0aca0615

Notes on the day of the event

• No recording, video recording, or photography will be allowed.

(The following are precautions for online participation.)

• Please mute your device except when speaking during the Q&A session to prevent feedback.
• Please keep your camera on whenever possible.
• If you have any questions during the Q&A session, please indicate your intention by filling out the “chat” form.

Contact

Tomohiro Sakuma (Associate Professor, GSBA, Kobe University)
sakuma[at]people.kobe-u.ac.jp