Japan Association for Management Systems
General Description
The Japan Association for Management Systems (Nihon Keiei Shisutemu Gakkai :JAMS) was founded in 1981 as an interdisciplinary association organized by university professors and academic theoretical and empirical researchers from public and private organizations. The founding spirit and objectives of JAMS are to contribute to human society and management systems and to propose new models of logical thinking covering a wide range of cross-disciplines between the social and natural sciences in the field of management systems. Currently, the subject of integration of various management resources in a corporation is becoming a more and more important. A sound establishment of management ideas in the areas of integration, investigation of human nature, innovation inside an organization, the global environment and its contribution to the world are indispensable subjects in the development of strategic management. In addition, product development and market capability also play a significant role, together with the innovation of business processes by ICT, in advancing the construction of new business models. Through its continuing efforts to promote Science and Technology development, JAMS identifies and solves various corporation management problems with a forward-looking commitment "to design management by an integration of engineering, information and social science". JAMS is a research group that has a global vision in addressing real world issues with realistic and effective thinking and through the development of new techniques to contribute to the field of management systems. In addition, research findings have found practical application to the economy and society, and certain progress has been made in system reforms such as the improvement of systems to cultivate young researchers.
Organization and Current Activities
JAMS consists of several sections. The head office manages the main work for members and acts in conjunction with the board of directors, the board of editorial members which publishes the JAMS journal, and the board of information members which organizes JAMS news releases and conferences, for example.
The Kansai Branch Office, The Cyuubu Branch Office and The Cyuugoku-Shikoku Branch Office manage regional activities such as organizing presentation meetings, hosting the Kansai, the Cyuubu and the Cyuugoku-Shikoku regional research meetings, providing support at conferences, and so on. As of March, 2009 the Association has 517 individual members, 128 student members and one corporate member.
President
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Organize research projects for assigned themes
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Annual National Conferences
The annual national conference of JAMS is usually held for two days each in spring and fall. At each conference, the unified theme is set up by the host university and the executive committee. Annual national conferences usually consist of the unified theme session, followed by a keynote speech, special lectures and free theme papers presented in four sessions. These sessions are set up at each conference and provide a venue where research topics in social and natural science disciplines can be presented and discussed by panels comprised of management and organization theorists, economists, sociologists, political scientists and management engineers.
A unified theme of management systems that is currently considered to be a meaningful topic of intense discussion is given at each conference. Each presentation session, including discussions and questions, takes 30 minutes, while student presentation sessions, which are open to undergraduate and graduate students, take 20 minutes. The programs of the annual conference are edited by the program committee and the executive committee.
Publications
The association publishes a bulletin entitled Journal of the Japan Association for Management Systems. It is published twice a year. Technical papers, research papers, case studies and commentaries are edited by the Association's Editorial Committee. The Committee selects two referees and requests them to review the submitted papers. After review and acceptance, the paper is carried in the Journal of Japan Association for Management Systems. At this time the association has just published its first English journal. It is the first issue of an International Journal called the International Journal of Japan Association for Management Systems (IJAMS). IJAMS' system of review is the same as the Journal of the Japan Association for Management Systems: Technical papers, research papers, case studies and commentaries are edited by the IJAMS Association's Editorial Committee. The Committee selects two referees and requests them to review the submitted papers. After review and acceptance, the paper is carried in the International Journal of Japan Association for Management Systems. The association plans to publish the second issue on a timely basis.
Finally, the association publishes a newsletter entitled JAMS News, which is edited by the Association's Information Committee. It is published four times a year. JAMS News announces the dates of study meetings and calls for paper submissions for the annual national conferences. It is a necessary and useful means of effective communication for members.
Recent Research Activities of JAMS
Recently, with the advancement of information the worldwide competition among companies has become increasingly severe. Study can no longer focus on only one field of knowledge, but must be broadened in terms of field knowledge and perspective. The integration, fusion and optimization of management resources in a company are now regarded as very important factors for a company to solve social, economic, and management problems. The current situation in management study emphasizes the fusion of application of methodologies in both natural science and social science. Studies and research in management fields are required to develop and deepen, and advanced technology is needed.
In particular, innovation in management systems and the systemization of business administration have become strategically essential subjects. Recent research activities of JAMS have studied and proposed new models and logical thinking theories as well as applications to solve new problems in the information era. Some scholars and researchers study and explore the possibilities of applying new theories to solve management problems and focus on key business areas such as strategy, information systems, human resources, marketing, and accounting. Currently, management quality, global supply chain management, environmental management, sustainable development, green productivity, discrimination in the workplace, industry analysis, competitive advantage and corporate governance are the topics most explored in recent research activities of JAMS.