Essential
Management
Science

A System of Learning formed in Japan
based on Structural Constructivism

Essential Management School (EMS) provides completely effective alternative self-life management and team management programs and variably flexible ways for learners ever.

WHY Essential Management Science

And HOW essential management science was born
Structural Constructivism

The academic origin

The Essential Management Science is based on an original meta-theory Structural Constructivism including a lot of Universal Principles; Principle of Intentional Correlativity X = X(i), Principle of Value V = V(i), Principle of Method M=M(p, s) etc. This meta-theory is a systematized framework that integrates the achievements of independent domains—epistemology (Husserl, Takeda Seiiji), ontology (Rombach), philosophy of language (Saussure, Maruyama), and philosophy of science (Ikeda kiyohiko). The universal principles have so powerful general versatility. In general, individual theories explain specific phenomena. For instance, leadership theories explain how to exhibit effective leadership, management theories explain how to manage work and organization effectively, marketing theories explain efficient marketing activities, and strategy theories explain how to develop strategic capabilities. But the Japanese original meta-theory Structural Constructivism has no such limits. It works in a dimension different from individual theories and methodologies. Therefore, the Structural Constructivism has been applied by many scholars in various fields. As a result of this, over 300 academic books and articles have been published in mainly Japanese academic fields, but at that time, general people didn't know the most powerful and effective meta-theory very much.

However, coincidently, the unprecedented The Great East Japan Earthquake required the universal meta-theory in 2011.

The Great East Japan Earthquake

The Tsunami Story

On March 11, 2011. Eastern Japan was hit by a devastating earthquake. The Great East Japan Earthquake and the consequent Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant accident drove Japan into a national crisis. The number of missing or dead reached 18,800 and besides 2,916 citizens died from the after-effects of the complex disaster. In total 21,716 people lost their lives. We all Japanese were in the depths of despair.

Takeo Saijo who is the founder of Structural Constructivism went to his home town in the Tohoku region to support numberless survivors. He realized that the precedent method and system didn't work at all because the huge Tsunami devastated almost all cities and towns located in Eastern Japan. Thus he created "Project Fumbaro Eastern Japan" (PFEJ), which later became known for being the largest and most functional organization supporting survivors utilizing many Social Networking Service (SNS) and a Philosophy "Structural Constructivism". The new support system made it possible to support more than 3,000 temporary shelters and temporary housing by the way of over 35,000 deliveries. Additionally, more than 3,000 volunteers were mobilized for over 30 various types of projects, including Home Appliance, Heavy Equipment License, Study Aids for Kids, Entertainment, PC + Internet Use, Writing Encouragement Letters, Geiger Counter Use, Hand-made Goods, Jobs Using Sewing Machines, Horticulture, Job Assistance, Animal Rescue Team, Handicraft, Fishery, Disaster Prevention Education and Resilience Support Projects. PFEJ enabled people around the world to support survivors directly through various types of projects to suit their needs. This means PFEJ, a project devised by one individual was able to achieve something that Japan Red Cross ——who received contributions of more than 330 billion yen—— could not. PFEJ proved the effectiveness of the meta-theory.

In 2014, Saijo won the Golden Nica, the highest award at the Prix Ars Electronica——the world's oldest and most prestigious competition in contemporary media art, known as the Oscars of its field——selected from 2,700 submissions from 72 countries. He followed in the footsteps of world-famous social systems like the WWW (World Wide Web) and Wikipedia.

Through these experiences, Dr. Takeo Saijo realized that 90% of society's unreasonable problems were brought about by organizations that do not follow universal principles. Thus, he created an alternative paradigm of management science called "Essential Management Science," based not only on the results of social science but mainly on universal philosophical principles. These achievements became the academic foundation of an innovative alternative management school named "Essential Management School."

The Foundation and Vision of EMS

Essential Management School (EMS) was founded in 2019, and became the only accredited higher education institution by the Drucker Society of Japan, as well as the first school certified for future education by the Future Education Council. Since then, more than 2,500 people have completed 20 courses, and EMS is recognized as a new "meta graduate school" that enables continuous learning of universal principles. EMS aims to become like the Grandes Écoles in France, higher vocational education institutions (in fact, 223 schools participate in the Grandes Écoles Conference, equivalent to Level 6 in the International Standard Classification of Education). In the future, EMS will certify not only universities and graduate schools but also schools providing essential and authentic education programs as "Essential Education."

Why EMS? Because...

Essential Management School (EMS) is the first official management school based on Essential Management Science and its universal meta-theory Structural Constructivism which is originally systematized by Takeo Saijo (Ph.D.) in Japan.

In a 100-year-life era facing an uncertain future where the right answer cannot be seen, it is now necessary for both managers and business people to learn universal principles and realize a happy and fulfilled life accordingly. The EMS is the first institute on the globe to be able to fully utilize the experience and knowledge that each individual has cultivated by learning universal behavioral science that could be efficient for not only 100 years, but also 1000 years.

Why does a happy world never come even everyone wishes for happiness?
Why do the means become purpose?
Why postpone what you want to do?
Why won't kids, partners, and subordinates hear what you say?

From everyday life to the business scene, our surroundings are full of "why?"s. But have we learned the fundamental solution? Did you learn?

To answer such many "why?"s, it is necessary to ask fundamental "what" questions; "What is value?" "What is the method?" "What is theory?" "What is management？" and "What is common point of all human?".　Only to grasp the most critical points of things to such fundamental questions uncover the fundamental solutions.

However, Takeo Saijo, the founder of EMS points out that "there is no practical universal discipline pursuing universality in social science.

As a result, what has happened? Because we have not learned about the universal principles, each of us, and the collective society itself, has been blurred from its essence. The world is full of superficial, ad-hoc countermeasures and full of unprecedented absurdity.

What is the Principle of Method

Giving an example of showing the effectiveness of the universal Principle, here we focus on "The Principle of Method".

The Principle of Method asks the fundamental question "What is a method?" It attempts to make the essence of all methods clear. It sets out the most important points found in all methods without exception pursuing universality. In this context "Essence" means the key points particular to each case. "Principle" means a general definition including essences relevant to all cases.

In the "method" case, the Principle of Method is defined as "a procedure able to achieve its objective in specific circumstances". We inevitably use method in certain circumstances. Besides we call the way that we accomplish our objective, "method". In other words, according to the Principle of Method, "the effectiveness of a method depends on two points: the objective and situation". We cannot judge the value of a method without also considering the objective and the situation.

You may think that the Principle of Method is obvious, but most leaders and organizations are not conscious of it they therefore tend to follow precedents. Therefore even great Executives, presidents, and managers lose sight of their original missions to increase their benefit. The international financial crisis is a typical example.

Most people think they know "methods", but they don't understand "Essence of Method", so they can't utilize methods effectively and flexibly. Generally, we learn a method from a senior or teacher by a specific procedure. The more you use a method, the more likely you will be convinced of its effectiveness. One tends to think that this method is the only right way to proceed and regard using the method as an objective. But there is no universally correct procedure suiting all circumstances. As a result of this, many organizations tend to simply follow precedents and this invariably causes a disagreement around methodology.

Moreover, there is an enormous variety of methods in each field, so needless to say we cannot master all methods, but we can master the Principle of Method. If we apply methods according to this Principle, they can be used to greater effect.

Peter F. Drucker and EMS

We would say the origin of essential management science might be Peter F. Drucker, the father, and inventor of modern management. He is the only one who has left essential insights in many books and articles, unlike modern academic management science, which completely depending quantification using statistics.

Almost all social scientists behave regarding publishing many papers based on quantitative research method using statistics as a goal. However, all evidence depends on the past however our society is changing at all times. So, past evidence has such fundamental limitations in social science. Evidence would be useful to grasp an essential points of things but the evidence is a just tool to grasp essential points, not the ultimate goal of social science. It would be too obvious to say, but as we have pointed out, we often regard a method as an ultimate goal.

We never refer to academic papers in 50 years ago. However, only Peter F. Drucker's truly authentic books including his universal essential insights are universal so it still rightly guide many managers around the world. However, Drucker seems to be not received a reasonable reputation in modern management studies. His achievements not using statistics are often considered old-fashioned and not "scientific" in the academic management science field, but that is not true.

What Drucker stated went beyond too far ahead and there was no academic foundation at that time. So now the alternative paradigm differently from the modern management studies is formed. Structural constructivism, a universal academic meta-theory, allows Drucker's management theory to be recreated as an academic framework Essential Management Science giving scientific methodology with verifiability and upgradability not sticking to qualification. Drucker's Universal insights will remain useful and be upgraded after 100 years, 1000 years in EMS.

For these reasons, the Essential Management School is the only accredited by the Drucker Society of Japan. It is also the first school to be certified for future education by the Future Education Council.

FACULTY

Takeo Saijo

Takeo Saijo

Founder, Essential Management School

DEGREES: Ph.D. & BS, Waseda University

RESEARCH INTEREST: Structural constructivism and Essential management science

Representative of Essential Management School and Representative Director of Essential Management Academeia Co., Ltd.

After working at the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science as DC (Doctoral Course Student) and PD (Postdoctoral Fellow), where has been known for the first step to a successful career for young researchers and scientists, he became the youngest lecturer at Waseda University Graduate School (MBA) and a visiting associate professor.

His unique philosophy-based class at the MBA has attracted attention and is featured in Forbes magazine Japanese edition.

Following the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, he developed one of Japan's largest "general support volunteer organizations" consisting of 50 projects managed by 3,000 volunteers based on Structural constructivism (essential management science).

In 2014, he was recognized for his philosophy in dealing with unprecedented disasters and was the first Japanese to receive the highest award (Golden Nica) awarded by Prix Ars Electronica as well as World Wide Web and Wikipedia before.

Also awarded "Best Team of the Year 2014", "Best Disaster Mitigation Award", and "ICT Service Grand Prize for Solving Social Problems of NPOs".

He wrote several books in Japanese such as:
"What is Structural Constructivism" (2005),
"What is Qualitative Research" (Basic edition in 2007 and Advanced in 2008),
"A Remarkable System To Help Others" (2012),
"Power of a Team" (2015)
and others.

EMS provides completely different alternative programs and ways for learners ever.

Exploring the essence

Exploring the essence

What is the essence of management?

The EMS provides essential knowledge to all who have the intent to learn, act concretely, and create a good society that does not fluctuate in any era or situation. Instructors provide the highest classes.

On-site, online and/or later on

On-site, online and/or later on

Realizing 100 ways of learning for 100 people

Listening to lectures at the venue is one way, but it is difficult for many people. With EMS, you can take a lecture in real-time on Zoom wherever you are. If real-time is difficult, there is a way to learn by watching the lecture recording later and discussing it on Zoom, which is called "MBAL participation (Movie Based Active Learning)."