LEE Geunhee    Department   Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University  College of International Management    Position   Professor
Research Period	2013/04～2016/03
Research Topic	Research on institution-building for GNT enterprise development based on analysis of GNT enterprise growth mechanisms
Research Type	Individual Research
Research Division	KAKENHI Research
Consignor	Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
Research Program Type	Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
KAKENHI Grant No.	25285129
Responsibility	Research Contributor
Representative Person	FUJIMOTO Takeshi
Details	The aim of this research is to identify the growth mechanism of Global Niche Top (GNT) enterprises in Japan. Based on the analysis of small and medium sized enterprises, we have four categories of success factors: (1) deepening responses to needs of existing customers, (2) customizing and applying technologies and services for new customers, (3) widening and scaling-up of services for existing customers, and (4) developing new features and services. In addition, strategic alliances with companies that have complementary technologies have appeared more common. This approach is a relatively new trend and is recognized as a high priority issue to nurture GNT companies in Japan. While Japanese GNT companies have the characteristic and strength of a customer-driven approach over those in western countries, we have found a lesson from German GNT companies that ally with research institutions and develop innovative products and services.