We live in an age of digital innovation, and it is difficult to say where the future will lead, as the challenges facing society and business continue to prove intractable in the face of conventional theories and approaches. In the age to come, we need people capable of providing us with insights into the challenges and emotions underlying society.
Designers are among the specialists equipped with the attributes to provide this, and design management, which applies the design mindset and sensibility to management, is becoming increasingly popular worldwide.
At the same time, however, Japanese management structures have been slow to appreciate the basic principles of digital technology, something which observers have attributed the under-realization of innovation in Japan to.
In the Department of International Design Management, students cultivate the digital technology-related knowledge essential to management in the coming era, while at the same time they are equipped with a capacity for design that will allow them to chart a sure path in an uncertain future, becoming deeply creative and internationally-minded innovation leaders.
The distinctive educational approach used in the Department of International Design Management takes a solid foundation of business administration and incorporates into it a three-track emphasis on “design,” “digital” and “international” education.
For digital technology, a systematic curriculum is used which starts with a solid grounding in science and technology and takes students from first principles through to applications. In order to ensure students are able to communicate and collaborate across borders with people representing a diversity of backgrounds, students learn a variety of different means of expression, including English as a global language. Design-related education is expansive in scope, encompassing style, process and strategy, in order to refine students’ ability to maximize the value created by companies and organizations.
Through this combined, three-track emphasis, students are equipped to navigate an uncertain future by acquiring expertise in management theory and digital technology, learning to cast off their fear of failure and to welcome challenges, and cultivating a deep capacity for creativity.
Research Groups & Research Areas
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Design
We define design as “the act of asking what we can do to live better, and creating answers to that question.” It integrates logical thinking, intuition, observation, insight, and diverse demands, and gives them concrete expression through one’s own actions, whether in tangible or intangible form.
Fujii Research Group / Nitanai Research Group / Yagisawa Research Group
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Digital
We explore, from both theoretical and practical perspectives, how digital technologies can be applied to “wicked problems” of business and society and lead to problem-solving. Specifically, we work on areas such as digital transformation, data analytics, and UX/UI design.
Kakihara Research Group / Morimoto Research Group
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International
We take a global perspective to examine various issues in Japan and other regions around the world while highlighting their opportunities and challenges. We consider how to respond ethically to the various issues brought about by the adoption of digital technologies. We also approach the international expansion of products and services as a matter of design strategies.
Fukami Research Group / Nakano Research Group
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Management Studies
We consider how designed products and services can be deployed in society as sustainable businesses, while studying various theories developed in management studies. We also explore methods for applying design thinking to the formulation of management policies.
Lee Research Group / Shiba Research Group / Takashima Research Group
List of Faculty Members
| Name | Title | Research Area |
|---|---|---|
| FUJII Haruyuki | Professor | Design science (Design Computing and Cognition, Constructive Methodology) |
| KAKIHARA Masao | Professor | Commerce (Management Information Systems, Digital Marketing, Content business) |
| NAKANO Yoshiko | Professor | Area studies (Globalization of Japanese products and services) |
| SHIBA Naoki | Professor | Social systems engineering/Safety system (Social Simulation) Economic theory (Game Theory) Management (Management Information Systems) |
| FUKAMI Yoshiaki | Associate Professor | Web informatics, Service informatics (Data ecosystem, Standardization, ID Architecture) |
| LEE Hyejung | Associate Professor | Management (Digital Transformation, Business Model, Work Design Theory, Knowledge Work, Team) |
| MORIMOTO Chikako | Associate Professor | Educational technology (PBL) Social systems engineering/Safety system (Project Management) Management (Team Building) Control engineering/System engineering (Process of Software Development) |
| TAKASHIMA Kentaro | Associate Professor | Human interface and interaction (Human Computer Interaction) Management (Knowledge Management) |
| YAGISAWA Masaki | Associate Professor | Design science (Design , Design Education) |
| NITANAI Riyoichi | Junior Associate Professor | Design science Social systems engineering/Safety system Town planning/Architectural planning |
| IMAJIYO Naohiko | Assistant Professor | Cultural anthropology (Türkiye, Secularism, Religion, minority) |
| MATSUBARA Kana | Assistant Professor | Area studies |
Information on Career Paths
Because this is a new department established in April 2021, no post-graduation employment figures are available; however,in particular, it is anticipated that graduates will be active in a wide range of fields as professionals who are able to serve as a “bridge” for the application of digital technology in society and business.
Graduate school; FinTech, EduTech and other “X-Tech” companies; advertising, communications, mass media and other information industries; international organizations; entrepreneurs; finance and insurance industries; service industry; wholesale and retail industries; transportation and communication industries; construction; public servants (national and local governments); etc.
