New Books in Economics Pierre-Yves Donzé & Maki Umemura, "Pierre-Yves Donzé & Maki Umemura, Japan and the Great Divergence in Business History" (JESB, 2025)
Nov 13, 2025
Pierre-Yves Donzé is a business historian based in Japan, and Maki Umemura, a Cardiff University academic, both delve into the dynamics of Japanese business history. They discuss the decline of Japanese scholarship in global platforms, contrasting firm-level histories with a global shift towards interdisciplinary approaches. Topics include labor narratives in nursing, the impact of westernization on breakfast cereals, and the rise of ethnic Korean entrepreneurship. They also explore the cultural ecosystems behind Pikachu's success and the evolving landscape of financial liberalization in Japan.
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Great Divergence In Japanese Business History
- Japanese business history diverged from global trends after 2000 by remaining anchored in Chandlerian firm-level narratives.
- This created a 'great divergence' as international business history shifted toward social sciences and management frameworks.
New Generation Uses Interdisciplinary Methods
- A new generation of Japanese scholars applies interdisciplinary methods to business history, moving beyond descriptive firm case studies.
- These scholars examine workers, institutions, and ecosystems to reconnect with global theoretical debates.
Nurses' Narratives Expose Workplace Conflict
- Ken Sakai and colleagues examine nurses' narratives to reveal conflicts with doctors and management in healthcare from 1951–2000.
- They use trade association journals and public narratives to trace how workers contested exploitation.
