LIU Ting
My background in research, My research interests
I received my Ph.D. from the Graduate School of Economics and Certificate from the Cross-Boundary Innovation Program (Ph.D. Program for Leading Graduate Schools) of Osaka University. Before I joined Kyoto University, I was a senior lecturer at Hiroshima City University.
During the three years of my Ph.D.course, I visited many countries for field study, academic research, and internship. Those cross-cultural experiences gave me tremendous insights into international business research. I primarily focused on boundary spanning global talents with multilingual and multicultural skills, their bridging roles, and implications for multinational companies' headquarter–subsidiary relationships. My research regarding these topics has been presented at leading international conferences such as the Academy of Management, the Academy of International Business, and the Association of Japanese Business Studies.
Currently, my research interests include human resource management, organizational behavior, and cross-cultural management. I mainly focus on language and communication issues in international business, expatriates and international mobility, leadership, and virtual work. The COVID-19 pandemic brought enormous challenges in cross-border knowledge transfer, and international mobility. Due to the influence of the pandemic and development of technology, I will expand my research into virtual expatriating and IT-related human resource management-concerning topics.
Other activities
Even though foreign talents have become an indispensable part of Japanese companies and society, differences in language, culture, and management styles hinder the maximization of their working ability. My research focuses on foreign employees, and in the near future, I hope I can contribute more to support foreign employees who work in Japan, which an environment that maximizes the ability of foreign talents would be created, not only from the academic perspective.
Currently, I work as the public relations director of the Association of Japanese Business Studies, conducing to bridge the research and communication barriers and generalize the indigenous studies. I also have a passion for teaching and contributing to international communication activities among universities, especially among young generations.
Work-life balance, Message to female students
Many female scholars have been asked how to manage work-life balance. However, I think this question should not be asked to women in particular. We, women, are labeled all the time, proactively or passively. The labels perpetuate a narrow understanding of us. As an “Early Stage-Female-Foreign researcher working in Japan,” I want to be authentically who I am, maybe stubborn, maybe naive, and imperfect. I strive to be the best self at every moment in my life.
I enjoy the free and eclectic academic atmosphere of GSM at Kyoto University. The support from my parents, supervisors, friends, colleagues, and students, enable me to challenge conventions and discover my distinct competitive advantages. Bathed in their support, I want to say to girls who are facing challenges or struggling at the same time, including myself: We will not be confined to outdated labels and definitions.
Be ourselves and be fearless,
Take the leadership and empower others,
Our journey is far more vibrant than we can assume!