Who Wants to Work for Japanese Companies? A Case in Malaysia

Abstract

This study examined the factors associated with job-pursuit intentions for Japanese companies among young, college-educated Malaysian respondents. Building on the frameworks of Japanese-style management and the organizational image theory, the study examined the perceived images of Japanese companies and their relations to the actual job-pursuit intentions among potential job seekers in Malaysia. Using two types of surveys—one based on students (prospective new graduates), and the other based on mid-career workers—we found that a positive image of Japanese companies’ human resource management was attractive to both types of potential job applicants. Images related to skill training and monetary compensation were more appealing to students, whereas the image of career development was more appealing to mid-career workers. We also found that Japanese companies tend to attract members of the workforce who are talented in job-specific skills and professional knowledge in the Malaysian context.