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(2016)

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Small and Medium Enterprises Studies Advanced Course

KUROSAKI, Makoto

Elective 2 credits

【Doctoral and Master's Degree Programs･1st semester】
16-3-1454-0198

１．	Objectives
	There are roughly 3 million enterprises in Japan , but out of these, 99.7% are small and medium enterprises. In terms of added value, they occupy 55% and are the core of the Japanese economy. Japan is reputed to be an advanced country because it has been keen on developing policy toward small and medium enterprises since the Meiji era. On the other hand, there was a time when small and medium enterprises were regarded as products representing the negative side of capitalism. Now, however, many countries are trying to strengthen and nurture small and medium enterprises as a new pillar of national economy. We shall study new types of small and medium enterprises which occupy important positions all over the world.
２．	Outline
	First of all, we shall cover various types of enterprises. We shall go on to study how policy toward small and medium enterprises has changed and what kind of problems they are destined to face in future. Then, we focus on how these enterprises will survive in the midst of economic globalization. With the introduction of some actual examples, I intend to extend practical studies on issues such as subcontractors, which are characteristically prevalent, how to buid up prosperous towns, and how small and medium service industries will survive.
３．	Requirements (Assignments)
	Participants should have a good knowledge of macro and micro economics and the history of economy as a base of economics. There are many books on small and medium enterprises. Students who have not studied them, should read at least one book on the subject. This will help you have a better understanding of the class.
４．	Schedule
	① What are small and medium enterprises? ② Discussions on small and medium enterprises in the past ③ Management innovation ④ Subcontractors and small and medium enterprises ⑤ Financing of small and medium enterprises ⑥ Local industries and regional economy ⑦ How to respond to the change of industrial structure ⑧ Economic globalization and small and medium enterprises ⑨ Innovations in small and medium enterprises ⑩ Increasing importance of information, and small and medium enterprises ⑪ Distribution systems and small and medium enterprises ⑫ Problems related with small and medium retailers and regional revival ⑬ Marketing strategy of small and medium enterprises ⑭ What is meant by policy toward small and medium enterprises? ⑮ Policies of small and medium enterprises in the world
５．	Grading Policy
	We evaluate your results through your short thesis in the graduate course. You must not fail to attend all classes, as you are expected to choose your own tentative title during the course. Attendance is reflected in your academic results.
６．	Textbook and Reference
	In the initial stage, ‘ On Contemporary Small and Medium Enterprises’ ( published by Doyukan) will be used as a textbook. After this, ‘ Policies Toward Small and Medium Enterprises and Their Charter’ (published by Kadensha) and other books may be used. In this event, you will be informed of the titles.
７．	Note
	You are advised to read newspapers, in particular the economic section, every day. You should pay attention to economic magazines such as The Economist( published by Mainichi Newspaper) and Nikkei Business, both of which you will find in libraries.