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Center for Economic Institutions
Institute of Economic Research,
Hitotsubashi University
2-1 Naka, Kunitachi, Tokyo 186-8603, JAPAN
Tel: 042-580-8405
Fax: 042-580-8333
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| Message from the Head of CEI |
The Center for Economic Institutions (CEI) was established in April 2000 to conduct leading-edge research within the Institute of Economic Research. At the time, the faculty meeting of the Institute of Economic Researched determined that the Center should pursue two goals: (1) to conduct research on economic institutions and structures in Japan and the rest of Asia; and (2) to become a research facility on economic institutions with an international standing.
To this end, in the five years to April 2005, the Center has actively engaged in research on financial systems and corporate governance in Japan and Asia and has successfully built up a far-flung international research network. In 2002, it was decided that from 2005 onward, the Center would concentrate its research on corporate systems in Japan and Asia. Research on corporate governance conducted at the Center at the moment aims at deepening our understanding of the family enterprise, which dominates in most of Asia, analyzing ownership and management structures, the determinants of succession, relationships with government, etc. Supplementing the research on family enterprises, a further research theme was introduced in May 2006 which aims at comparing enterprise performance in East Asia. Focusing on listed firms from China, South Korea and Japan, the research will attempt to provide a long-term comparison of firm profitability and productivity in the three countries. This should allow us to examine a wide range of questions, such as how the relative competitive strength of each country is changing, how corporate governance and the accumulation of intangible fixed assets affect corporate performance, or how economic partnership agreements and deregulation change firms’ international competitiveness.
As part of our research, we have been constructing a database on corporate governance and enterprise systems in Japan and Asia and conducted productivity measurements. In addition, we have established research networks and hold monthly research meetings to which we invite eminent researchers from inside and outside the university in order to provide opportunities for discussions on ongoing research and to promote joint research. Furthermore, in addition to holding our own research sessions, members of the Center have participated in, and presented their research at, a large number of international conferences. Last but not least, we have also hosted numerous visiting researchers from overseas.
As the Center concludes its eighth year, we are pleased that our research has borne substantial results. In the past eight years, we have published a large number of theses and working papers, and our network of academics and institutions now spans the globe. |
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