Process of Learning Paradox in the Japanese Context - Embedded Paradox and Modernization in Work Place

This study clarifies how people working in Japan learn the paradox theory based on the outcome of a series of online training sessions on paradoxical leadership. Paradox theory has been the focus of attention in management studies, and its philosophy originates in Asian cultures. Therefore, Japanese workplaces can be seen as complicated places that have been embedded in Japanese culture; they have the effect of Western working culture at the same time. Paradox is embedded in Japanese company activity because of its cultural context; however, the scope of each job is becoming narrower and language use is becoming more explicit because of modernization Therefore, the paradox is seen as a problem for Japanese working people. The observation of the participants’ discussion and the outcome of their report also shows that they see the paradox as a “problem to be solved†and wish to learn a solution when the training starts. They gradually understand the idea of paradox theory: each condition relies on the other, goes back and forth, and synergizes with each other but never disappears. Participants then became interested in methods for navigating paradoxes, such as guardrails and gradually achieved a positive image of the paradox.