HR Buddy Research Institute General Incorporated Association Awards Research Grants to 9 Researchers for Fiscal Year 2026

The HR Buddy Research Institute General Incorporated Association (Location: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative: Yusuke Sato; hereinafter referred to as "HR Buddy Research Institute") has awarded grants to 9 researchers for their work in the HR field as part of its Fiscal Year 2026 research grant program.

This grant aims to support the advancement of research in fields such as business administration, industrial-organizational psychology, organizational behavior, labor economics, and human resource management (HRM), as well as to support researchers who may face difficulties continuing their research activities due to financial or other reasons.

The first grant was awarded in Fiscal Year 2025, making this the second year of the program. HR Buddy Research Institute is committed to providing ongoing research support, aiming for the research outcomes of its grantees to contribute to corporate HR strategies, organizational development, and the creation of better working environments for individuals.

Details of Fiscal Year 2026 Research Grant Recipients

For details on each researcher's background and research theme, please visit the following page:

https://hr-buddy.co/researchers/#researcher-support

About the HR Buddy Research Grants for Fiscal Year 2026

In recent years, issues surrounding people and organizations have become increasingly complex, including the practice of human capital management, diversification of work styles, psychological safety, well-being, career autonomy, and organizational transformation.

However, to effectively consider and implement measures addressing these issues, research insights based on theory and data, in addition to practical experience, are indispensable.

HR Buddy Research Institute emphasizes not only disseminating research findings within academic circles and publications but also returning them to corporations and society. Therefore, through its grants, the institute supports research activities themselves and also works to increase points of contact between researchers and companies/society, creating opportunities for knowledge to be applied in practice.

The primary objectives of this grant include sharing research findings through presentations at domestic and international academic conferences, complementing and advancing existing theories, and generating data and recommendations that can guide corporate HR practices. The grant funds will be used for personnel costs, equipment expenses, consumable supplies, travel expenses, and other costs necessary for research.

List of Fiscal Year 2026 Grant Recipients

In Fiscal Year 2026, grants were awarded to the following 9 researchers:

Hideki Ishimura

Affiliation/Background: Doctoral Program, Graduate School of Tsukuba University Research Theme: Psychological mechanisms through which next-generation management personnel achieve results via "challenging work experiences"

Manabu Fujimoto

Affiliation/Background: Professor, Ritsumeikan University Research Theme: Longitudinal verification of the mutually promoting process between psychological safety and collective leadership behavior

Hirotaka Bunno

Affiliation/Background: Doctoral Program, Graduate School of Doshisha University Research Theme: Work-Life Balance Crafting for Dual-Earner Employees - Structure and effects of WLB maintenance behaviors -

Maki Okada

Affiliation/Background: Doctoral Program, Graduate School of Doshisha University Research Theme: Considerations on professional portfolios and followership behavior

Takuya Kamiyama

Affiliation/Background: Doctoral Program, Graduate School of Kobe University Research Theme: Research on the management of gig workers by corporations

Yuka Uchida

Affiliation/Background: Research Fellow, Graduate School of Rikkyo University Research Theme: Dynamic transformation process of "complex self-construction" in Japanese organizations

Hiroki Sakoda

Affiliation/Background: Doctoral Program, Graduate School of Kobe University Research Theme: The impact of excessive organizational change - An empirical study focusing on the interaction between individuals and groups -

Yuko Matsui

Affiliation/Background: Part-time Lecturer, Tokyo University of Information Sciences Research Theme: Elucidation of decision-making structures in diverse organizations - Analysis of organizational decision-making processes in reasonable accommodation

Cinteza Andreea Corina

Affiliation/Background: Research Assistant, Yokohama National University Research Theme: The role of workplace inclusion in relation to work from home and different HR policies and its outcomes at personal level, job level and organizational level

Future Initiatives

In addition to research grants, HR Buddy Research Institute is also involved in disseminating knowledge by researchers, supporting book publications, joint research with companies, organizational analysis, and creating opportunities to connect research outcomes with practical applications.

Going forward, the institute plans to sequentially share the research outcomes and activities of its grant recipients through its website, note, and seminars.

To create an environment where aspiring researchers can connect their findings to the resolution of societal and corporate issues without being deterred by financial or environmental constraints. HR Buddy Research Institute will continue its support for this purpose.

About HR Buddy Research Institute General Incorporated Association

The HR Buddy Research Institute General Incorporated Association is an organization composed of researchers specializing in the fields of HR and organization. It supports the realization of "evidence-based HR practices" by utilizing data analysis and insights based on research.

Through collaboration with researchers, the institute works to apply HR research knowledge to solve the HR and organizational challenges faced by companies.

Organization Name: HR Buddy Research Institute General Incorporated Association Website: https://hr-buddy.co/

Contact for Inquiries regarding this matter

HR Buddy Research Institute General Incorporated Association

Phone: 050-3143-8836 Inquiry Form: https://hr-buddy.co/contact/