Commencement of Joint Research with Kyoto University's Graduate School of Management

Link and Motivation Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Representative: Yoshio Ozasa; Securities Code: 2170; hereinafter, "the Company") is pleased to announce the commencement of joint research on "International Human Resource Management in the Southeast Asian Region" with Kyoto University's Graduate School of Management, with the cooperation of Kyodai Original Co., Ltd.

Background of the Joint Research Amidst the advancement of corporate globalization, "international human resource management," which involves cross-border talent management, is gaining increasing attention as a crucial management theme supporting the sustainable growth of companies. The Southeast Asian region, in particular, is an area where many companies are expanding their business bases, driven by economic growth and population increase. However, due to differences in cultural backgrounds, systems, and labor markets, many challenges exist in the way human resource management is conducted locally.

Through consulting in organizational development and human resource development, the Company has supported corporate organizational transformation and the sophistication of human resource management. By integrating this practical knowledge with the academic insights of Kyoto University's Graduate School of Management, we aim to theoretically organize global HR and create practical implications, thus commencing this joint research.

Overview of the Joint Research This joint research, conducted with Professor Michinori Sekiguchi and Associate Professor LIU Ting of Kyoto University's Graduate School of Management, aims to compare and analyze the global talent management of Japanese companies and non-Japanese multinational corporations. By clarifying commonalities and differences, the goal is to construct theories and hypotheses for international human resource management adapted to the Southeast Asian region.

Key research themes include the current state of international human resource management and global talent management in Southeast Asia, the role of "boundary spanners" mediating communication between headquarters and subsidiaries, optimization of talent portfolios in overseas subsidiaries, and corporate language strategies in multilingual environments.

Based on a literature review, the research will proceed using a mixed-methods approach combining local interviews, surveys, and action research. The findings will be disseminated as academic papers in top journals, articles for practitioners in publications like Harvard Business Review, and books.

Future Outlook The knowledge gained from this research will be disseminated as academic research findings and utilized as practical insights to enhance corporate global talent management. Furthermore, the Company currently operates bases in five Southeast Asian countries, and the insights obtained from this research will be applied to organizational development and human resource management support in the region.

The Company will continue to promote research activities in the organizational and human resource fields through collaboration with universities and research institutions, striving to enhance services that support the sustainable growth of companies.

From Professor Michinori Sekiguchi, Kyoto University Graduate School of Management I am very pleased to have formed a joint research team that will contribute to both academia and practice, focusing on international human resource management in the Southeast Asian region. Southeast Asia is an extremely important region for multinational corporations, including Japanese companies, in terms of international strategy, and the appropriate management approach, considering its diverse institutional and cultural backgrounds, is being questioned.

Through this research, we aim to construct a theoretical framework that balances regional integration and local adaptation of human resource management. This will be achieved by understanding the macroeconomic characteristics such as economy, society, culture, and human capital of each Southeast Asian country, and by elucidating the micro-mechanisms of international human resource management and global talent management, primarily targeting Japanese companies operating in the region.

Through such research, we hope to present theoretical and practical insights that enable multinational corporations to effectively execute their regional strategies in Southeast Asia and lead them to success, thereby contributing to the development of international human resource management research.

Overview of Kyodai Original Co., Ltd. Established in June 2018 with the aim of "returning 'university knowledge' to society and connecting it to solving social issues, thereby realizing a sustainable society." Since its establishment, it has developed consulting services and training/lecture services utilizing Kyoto University's research achievements, promoting various initiatives in collaboration with researchers and companies in all fields.

・Representative Director and President: Seiji Miwa ・Location: Kyoto University International Science Innovation Building 4F, Yoshida-Honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto ・Established: June 2018 ・Business Activities: Building and strengthening networking with domestic and international companies, primarily offering the following services: ① Consulting services ② Training and lecture services

Overview of Link and Motivation Inc. ・Representative Director and Chairman: Yoshio Ozasa ・Capital: 1,380,610,000 JPY ・Securities Code: 2170 (Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market) ・Headquarters: Kabuki-za Tower 15F, 4-12-15 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo ・Founded: April 2000 ・Business Activities: Organizational Development Division (Consulting & Cloud Business, IR Support Business) Individual Development Division (Career School Business, Cram School Business) Matching Division (ALT Placement Business, Recruitment Business) Venture Incubation