Perspectives on work, employment and management: Asia, comparisons and convergence

Abstract

This article outlines my long-term research and publication journey over what I consider to be important terrain, both academically and practically. The main contours of this revolve around the areas of work, employment and management in the context of Asia, comparisons and convergence. This retrospective has helped me to recall past publications—and with hindsight to focus more on their overall general implications and recommendations. These range from the macro down to the micro. These are that work and employment and its management remain important and a core parts of life, giving not only a sense of purpose, routine and meaning, but also independence and ability to connect and contribute to the lives of others and society. Within this, comparisons and cultural relativism are useful for contextualization in understanding not only change but also continuity around the area of work. This then requires broader and more nuanced views and perspectives with finer grain investigation and analysis using graduated concepts such as level, degree and speed in changes and continuities. Finally, the importance of not only managing change but also effective leadership and skills in the area runs through my traversing of the field.

Keywords:

• Asia
• comparisons
• convergence
• employment
• management
• work

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank the Editors for their kind encouragement, time and perceptive points and suggestions on earlier versions and Charanjot Singh for drawing Figure 1 for me. All errors remain mine.