An Analysis of Bylaws of Christian School Corporations in Japan: The Impact of Christianity on Organizational Governance

Authors : Akihiro ITO

Pages : 120-132

Doi:10.55993/hegp.1217204

View : 8 | Download : 11

Publication Date : 2022-12-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Keywords: bylaws; governance structure; Christian school corporations; university; Japan This study investigated the effects of Christianity-related insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(CR); words in bylaws on governance structures in Christian school corporations insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(CSCs); that established higher education institutions, such as private universities, in Japan. Governance structures in religious school corporations in Japan are characterized by the specific religion. Therefore, CR words in CSCs’ bylaws are powerful clues to identify the characteristics of their governance structures. This study examined the bylaws of three Protestant Christian CSCs in Japan: Tohoku Gakuin, Kwansei Gakuin, and Seinan Gakuin. The numbers and percentages of Christian directors, councilors, and auditors were also assessed. The results indicated that insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(1); Tohoku Gakuin and Kwansei Gakuin do not mention any Christian denominations, whereas Seinan Gakuin does; insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(2); Kwansei Gakuin does not have a Christian code for directors, whereas Tohoku Gakuin and Seinan Gakuin do; insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(3); all CSCs have a Christian code for councilors; insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(4); the lowest percentage of Christians on the board of directors is 54.5% for Tohoku Gakuin, 0% for Kwansei Gakuin, and 62.5% for Seinan Gakuin; insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(5); the lowest percentage of Christians on the board of councilors is 52.1% for Tohoku Gakuin, 15.4% for Kwansei Gakuin, and 54.3% for Seinan Gakuin; and insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(6); the lowest percentage of Christians among auditors is 0% for Tohoku Gakuin, 0% for Kwansei Gakuin, and 50% for Seinan Gakuin. Moreover, Kwansei Gakuin employs a governance system that suppresses director voting by Christian councilors, whereas, Christian councilors of Tohoku Gakuin and Seinan Gakuin encourage Christian director voting. Based on the findings, directions for further research are discussed.
Keywords : bylaws, governance structure, Christian school corporations, university, Japan