Cross-cultural impressions of leaders’ faces: Consensus and predictive validity

Across cultures, people tend to show high agreement in their impressions of others. But do these impressions predict external outcomes? Here we tested the predictive validity of trait judgments of the faces of Japanese and American targets, as rated by Japanese and American perceivers. Participants rated the faces of Japanese and American Chief Executive Officers of major companies. These judgments showed high agreement within and across cultures. In addition, judgments of power-related traits predicted the company profits of American CEOs, whereas judgments of warmth-related traits did not. However, neither power nor warmth predicted the company profits of Japanese CEOs, implicating longstanding cultural differences in company organization and business practices in the US versus Japan. Together, these data show both cross-cultural agreement between perceivers and targets but also cross-cultural differences in the relevance or application of particular trait information based on facial judgments.     

Global R&D activities of Japanese MNCs in the US: A triangulation approach

We examined 79 Japanese MNCs’ R&D subsidiaries in the US from the knowledge-based view. We found: (1) subsidiaries’ R&D strategies generally encouraged knowledge flows; (2) subsidiaries’ R&D alliances promoted knowledge flows; (3) R&D subsidiaries with process-oriented incentives promoted vertical knowledge flows; (3) autonomous R&D subsidiaries promoted knowledge flows from the local environments to the subsidiary; (4) R&D subsidiaries with a high level of knowledge flows accumulated a high level of knowledge; and (5) R&D subsidiaries with a high level of accumulated knowledge achieved high overall performance. Our interviews with 30 R&D subsidiaries and 10 parent companies supplement these findings.     

What determines overseas R&D activities? The case of Japanese multinational firms

This paper explores what factors determine the nature, extent, and location of Japanese multinationals’ R&D activities abroad. Taking advantage of a rich micro-level dataset from the survey on Japanese overseas subsidiaries, the study distinguishes between two types of overseas R&D: basic/applied research and development/design. We find several differences between the determinants of those R&D activities. These differences confirm the view that basic/applied research of overseas subsidiaries aims at the exploitation of foreign advanced knowledge, whereas their development/design activities are mostly influenced by the market size of the host country. Our results provide a convincing and comprehensive explanation of the geographical distribution of overseas R&D by Japanese MNEs.     

Contrasting experiences in Japanese returnee adjustment: Those who adjust easily and those who do not

This study examined how returnees who experienced more adjustment difficulties (Bumpies) differed from those who experienced fewer (Smoothies). Three open-ended items from 512 returnees¹ were analyzed. Ward et al.’s [Ward, C., Bochner, S., & Furnham, A. (2001). The psychology of culture shock. East Sussex: Routledge] adjustment model was used as the theoretical framework for this study.Prior to examining the open-ended items, preliminary analyses were conducted to confirm that these two groups, in fact, differed from each other in their returnee experience. Results suggested that one function, which we named “Lack of Acceptance,” differentiated the two groups; Smoothies felt more accepted by others compared to Bumpies.In the next stage, the open-ended questions related to the items that loaded significantly on the function identified by the discriminant analysis were coded and analyzed. Results suggested that the two groups’ experiences were similar in some respects (e.g., being stereotyped as a returnee, language-related problems) and different in others (e.g., Smoothies felt more accepted by others compared to Bumpies, Bumpies reported more incidents of discrimination and bullying). Results underscored Ward et al.’s [Ward, C., Bochner, S., & Furnham, A. (2001). The psychology of culture shock. East Sussex: Routledge] assertion that adjustment is a result of a two-way interaction between individual and societal variables.     

Walking-friendly built environments and objectively measured physical function in older adults

BackgroundFew studies have examined the associations between urban design attributes and older adults’ physical function. Especially, it is not well known how built-environment attributes may influence physical function in Asian cities. The aim of this study was to examine associations between objectively measured environmental attributes of walkability and objectively assessed physical function in a sample of Japanese older adults.MethodsCross-sectional data collected in 2013 from 314 older residents (aged 65–84 years) living in Japan were used. Physical function was estimated from objectively measured upper- and lower-body function, mobility, and balance by a trained research team member. A comprehensive list of built-environment attributes, including population density, availability of destinations, intersection density, and distance to the nearest public transport station, were objectively calculated. Walk Score as a composite measure of neighborhood walkability was also obtained.ResultsAmong men, higher population density, availability of destinations, and intersection density were significantly associated with better physical function performance (1-legged stance with eyes open). Higher Walk Score was also marginally associated with better physical function performance (1-legged stance with eyes open). None of the environmental attributes were associated with physical function in elderly women.ConclusionOur findings indicate that environmental attributes of walkability are associated with the physical function of elderly men in the context of Asia. Walking-friendly neighborhoods can not only promote older adults’ active behaviors but can also support their physical function.     

Reliability of a commercially available and algorithm-based kinetic analysis software compared to manual-based software

There is a need for reliable analysis techniques for kinetic data for coaches and sport scientists who employ athlete monitoring practices. The purpose of the study was: (1) to determine intra- and inter-rater reliability within a manual-based kinetic analysis program; and (2) to determine test-retest reliability of an algorithm-based kinetic analysis program. Five independent raters used a manual analysis program to analyse 100 isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) trials obtained from previously collected data. Each trial was analysed three times. The same IMTP trials were analysed using an algorithm-based analysis software. Variables measured were peak force, rate of force development from 0 to 50 ms (RFD50) and RFD from 0 to 200 ms (RFD200). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and coefficient of variation (CV) were used to assess intra- and inter-rater reliability. Nearly perfect reliability was observed for the manual-based (ICC > 0.92). However, poor intra- and inter-rater CV was observed for RFD (CV > 16.25% and CV > 32.27%, respectively). The algorithm-based method resulted in perfect reliability in all measurements (ICC = 1.0, CV = 0%). While manual methods of kinetic analysis may provide sufficient reliability, the perfect reliability observed within the algorithm-based method in the current study suggest it is a superior method for use in athlete monitoring programs.     

Aerodynamic properties of an archery arrow

Two support-interference-free measurements of aerodynamic forces exerted on an archery arrow (A/C/E; Easton Technical Products) are described. The first measurement is conducted in a wind tunnel with JAXA’s 60 cm Magnetic Suspension and Balance System, in which an arrow is suspended and balanced by magnetic force against gravity. The maximum wind velocity is 45 m/s, which is less than a typical velocity of an arrow (about 60 m/s) shot by an archer. The boundary layer of the arrow remains laminar in the measured Re number range (4.0 × 10³ < Re < 1.5 × 10⁴), and the drag coefficient is about 1.5 for Re > 1.0 × 10⁴. The second measurement is performed by a free flight experiment. Using two high-speed video cameras, we record the trajectory of an archery arrow and analyze its velocity decay rate, from which the drag coefficient is determined. In order to investigate Re number dependence of the drag coefficient in a wider range (9.0 × 10³ < Re < 2.4 × 10⁴), we have developed an arrow-shooting system using compressed air as a power source, which launches the A/C/E arrow at an arbitrary velocity up to 75 m/s. We attach two points (piles) of different type (streamlined and bullet) to the arrow-nose. The boundary layer is laminar for both points for Re less than about 1.2 × 10⁴. It becomes turbulent for Re larger than 1.2 × 10⁴ and the drag coefficient increases to about 2.6, when the bullet point is attached. In the same Re range, two values of drag coefficient are found for the streamlined point, of which the lower value is about 1.6 (laminar boundary layer) and the larger value is about 2.6 (turbulent boundary layer), confirming that the point-shape has a crucial influence on the laminar to turbulent transition of the boundary layer.     

Some thoughts on implementing U.S. physics doctoral education in Japanese universities

Recent policy debates surrounding Japan??s graduate education raise a serious skepticism in the validity of its ??research-based?? or ??learning-by-doing?? training approach that these institutions have uniquely established. Proponents of reform suggest drastic restructuring of the graduate programs by replacing the experience-based mentoring aspect with more systematic education that blends an array of coursework and examinations. However, whether such a coursework-based model of graduate training will successfully function without sacrificing the traditional virtue of Japanese practices is an unsubstantiated matter. Japanese graduate schools have produced scientists who have made immense contributions to the advancement in our scientific knowledge. Policy makers and academia in Japan should humbly acknowledge this fact and prudently determine what aspects of their educational content should be reformed and what should be retained. In order to do this, the merits and demerits of alternative models must be clearly understood. The objective of this study is to affirm both the strengths and weaknesses of the traditional approach that Japanese universities need to consider preserving and eliminating, in order to capitalize on their institutional heritage while also building in the educational caliber of the rigorous US graduate training model in the reforming process.     

Directory of graduate education departments in the eastern region

This essay is an attempt to investigate and discuss the significance and validity of researching Buddhist preaching as the main undercurrent of Japanese rhetorical communication practices. The argument first points out contemporary rhetoricians' weaknesses in research, and proceeds to discuss the importance of viewing preaching as a form of rhetorical communication. It then describes historical backgrounds of Japanese Buddhist preaching, and finally analyzes the preaching principles in comparison with the five canons of Western rhetoric, stressing the value of studying Buddhist preaching from the rhetorical perspective.     

The optimal object posture that minimizes contact forces in grasping

Because of the ill-posedness of grasping, one feasible method must be selected from possible strategies. Among many factors, this paper focuses on the posture of an object: which object direction is best when it is grasped. Then, the object is assumed to be held with three points where the contact forces can be generated in any directions. To evaluate the object posture, the norm of contact force vector consisting of the normal and tangential forces is selected. Consequently, the contact force becomes minimal when the center of mass of the grasped object and the centroid of the triangle composed by three contact points are aligned in the gravitational direction.