Commencement of Joint Research with Kyoto University Graduate School of Management

Link and Motivation Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Representative: Yoshihisa 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 the Kyoto University Graduate School of Management, with the cooperation of Kyoto University Original Co., Ltd.

Background of the Joint Research As the globalization of corporate activities progresses, there is growing interest in "International Human Resource Management"—the management of human resources across national borders—as a critical management theme supporting sustainable corporate growth. The Southeast Asian region, in particular, is an area where many companies are expanding their business bases against a backdrop of economic growth and population increase. On the other hand, there are many challenges in local human resource management due to differences in cultural backgrounds, institutional systems, and labor markets.

To date, the Company has supported organizational transformation and the advancement of human resource management for corporations through consulting in the fields of organizational and human resource development. By fusing this practical knowledge with the academic research expertise of the Kyoto University Graduate School of Management, we have launched this joint research project with the aim of organizing theories regarding global HR and creating implications for practical application.

Overview of the Joint Research This joint research, conducted alongside Professor Tomoki Sekiguchi and Associate Professor LIU Ting of the Kyoto University Graduate School of Management, aims to construct theories and hypotheses for international human resource management tailored to the Southeast Asian region. This will be achieved by conducting a comparative analysis of global talent management between Japanese companies and non-Japanese multinational corporations to clarify commonalities and differences.

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

Based on literature reviews, the research will proceed using a mixed-methods approach combining local interviews, surveys, and action research. The results will be disseminated through academic papers in top-tier journals, practitioner-oriented articles such as those in the Harvard Business Review, and books.

Future Outlook The findings obtained from this research will be disseminated as academic results and utilized as practical implications that contribute to the advancement of global human resource management for companies. Furthermore, as the Company currently operates in five Southeast Asian countries, we will apply the insights gained from this research to our organizational development and human resource management support in the region.

Moving forward, the Company will continue to promote research activities in the fields of organization and human resources through collaboration with universities and research institutions, and will work to enhance the services that support the sustainable growth of companies.

Message from Professor Tomoki Sekiguchi, Kyoto University Graduate School of Management I am very pleased that we have been able to form a joint research team that contributes to both academia and practice, focusing on international human resource management in Southeast Asia. Southeast Asia is an extremely important region for the international strategies of multinational corporations, including Japanese companies, and the question of how to manage human resources while considering its diverse institutional and cultural backgrounds is a pressing one.

In this research, we aim to construct a theoretical framework that balances regional integration and local adaptation of human resource management. We will do this by understanding the macro-characteristics of Southeast Asian countries—such as their economy, society, culture, and human capital—and by elucidating the micro-mechanisms of international human resource management and global talent management, primarily targeting Japanese companies expanding into the region.

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

Overview of Kyoto University Original Co., Ltd. Established in June 2018 with the goal of "realizing a sustainable society by returning 'university knowledge' to society and connecting it to the resolution of social issues." Since its establishment, it has developed consulting, training, and seminar businesses utilizing the research results of Kyoto University, and has promoted various initiatives in collaboration with researchers and companies from all fields.

- Representative Director and President: Seiji Miwa - Location: 4F, Kyoto University International Science Innovation Building, Yoshida-honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto - Established: June 2018 - Business Description: Building and strengthening networking with domestic and international companies, etc., and primarily developing the following services: 1. Consulting services 2. Training and seminar services