Masateru Higashida
Biographic Data
| ID | 1076155 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Masateru Higashida |
| GIVEN NAMES | Masateru |
| FAMILY NAME | Higashida |
| SIGNATURE | HIGASHIDA M |
| AFFILIATIONS | Shimane University |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-4546-4146 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 19 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 1 |
| WORKS AS AUTHOR | 19 |
| WORKS AS EDITOR | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2014 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 1 |
The Relationship Between International Social Work and Indigenousness
This study examined how indigenous perspectives are represented and discussed in the mainstream literature within the field of international social work. A scoping review was conducted to map both well-established and under-researched discourses in the literature. The findings revealed that the majority of the papers shed light on indigenous knowledges and practices in non-Western countries or regions and particularly within the Global South cont…
International social work gap or unknown reality? A geographical perspective for social work education
This brief note in Ideas and Actions expands the possibility of applying geographical viewpoints and methods to international social work education. After succinctly presenting new perspectives on international social work, this paper highlights the utility of human geographical viewpoints and methods in examining cross-border issues and international social work education and research. This study conducted geographical visualization by a geograp…
Comparative analysis of international social work and related subjects in eight Asian countries
This international study examined the state and context of international social work (ISW) education while encouraging its mutual development. For this purpose, it focused on ISW-related subjects in eight Asian countries that responded to the call for research proposals: the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Mongolia. A total of nine teams conducted qualitative surveys of ISW-related subjects in their…
Attitudes towards international exchange among social workers in the Asian context
This study examined the factors, including indigenous knowledge, which influence practitioners’ attitudes towards the international exchange of social work ideas. A total of 228 valid questionnaire responses were obtained from self-identified social workers in selected Asian countries, and quantitative analysis was mainly employed to examine the factors shaping participants’ knowledge of and expectations for international exchange in social work.…
An inductive content analysis of international social welfare syllabi at national and public universities in Japan
To address global and local issues, the development of education on international social work and international social welfare is required in Japan. This study aims to identify the trends in and content of subjects related to international social welfare at national and public universities in Japan and use the findings to develop subject design. National, prefectural and other public universities that offered subjects related to international soc…
Incorporating co-created knowledge into mental health social work education in Japan
In Japan, several community-based practices have led to the formation of practical theories in community mental health social work. As an innovative example, social workers at Yadokari-no-sato, a nonprofit organization in Japan, have worked with persons with psychosocial disabilities, their families and other supporters since 1970, while developing theories based on collaborative practices. Thus, based on the work of this organization, this study…
Re-examining international social work theory
The purpose of this exploratory study is to present a discussion on new developmental perspectives for international social work (ISW) theory. In order to examine the various aspects of this theory, the author first discusses different theoretical social work frameworks. Since some aspects cannot be discussed according to these frameworks, three main perspectives are applied to examine these ISW theoretical assumptions: (1) the roots of ISW; (2) …
Education and training opportunities for local and indigenous social workers
Many ‘non-professional’ and ‘non-certified’ social workers seem to conduct indigenous social work practices in low- and middle-income countries in Asia. From the perspective of international developmental social work, this case study explores the education and training opportunities for local and indigenous social workers in disability related fields. The data was mainly obtained through field work and practice conducted by the author, whose posi…
An exploration of contextually relevant curricula in international social work education
Current global uncertainties such as increasing socio-economic and political difficulties have amplified the significance of researching the nature of international social work education. This pilot study collaboratively investigated the educational characteristics of international social work curricula in Asia to identify the prevailing conditions related to this discipline. Data were collected in February 2023 at an international academic forum…
Process of constructing alternative social work discourses in Asia
This preliminary study examined the process of constructing alternative discourses on social work. It focused on the exploration of Buddhist social work by researchers and practitioners in Asian countries, including monks and nuns. The present investigation was grounded in the analytical perspective of the social representation theory posited in the domain of social psychology. Books, reports, and any relevant papers written in English were colle…
Exploring how international social workers perceive culturally relevant practices
This pilot case study, as part of an international social work research project, explored how culturally relevant collaborative practices were perceived by international social workers. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with social workers ( n = 4) who had worked as Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers for 2 years in another Asian country. Thematic analysis was applied to their narratives. Three main themes were found: ‘socio‐cultural un…
Lived Experience of Disability Equality Training Facilitators
This study explores the lived experiences of becoming and continuing as facilitators of Disability Equality Training (DET). This study was conducted in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, one of the countries where DET has been strategically implemented. Nine facilitators were selected by purposive sampling for semistructured interviews. Thematic analysis was applied to the narrative data for exploring themes with consideration to chronological sequence, name…
Exploring subjective experiences of international social workers in Asia
The aim of this study is to explore the subjective and practical experiences of international social workers, focusing on the content, outcomes, impact, and related factors of their activities in Asia. Individual reports of social workers dispatched from Japan to 11 Asian countries during the period of 2003–2018 were collected ( n = 59). A mixed quantitative and qualitative content analysis was used to examine their experiences and perceptions in…
Consolidating information on disability-inclusive policies
This exploratory and practical case study examines one country’s white papers on disability policies whilst drawing upon experiences of an international technical cooperation project. The creation process, contents, and functions of white papers on disability in Mongolia are analysed descriptively using document data and the author’s field notes. This case study on the practice which can be considered macro social work reveals that the creation o…
Participation of Disabled Youths in Religious Activities
The author examines the relationship between the participation of disabled youths in religious activities and indigenous social work practices in Sri Lanka. Participant observation and household surveys were conducted in an area where the religious majority is Buddhist, followed by Muslim and Hindu. Religious activities arranged by social work practitioners provide opportunities for disabled youths to participate in the local community. This rese…
Experiences of disabled people making the transition from vocational training to employment in Sri Lanka
This study examines the experiences of disabled people in Sri Lanka as they make the transition out of vocational training programmes into employment. This study was carried out using purposive sampling method to select ‘good practice’ cases and semi-structured interviews with 12 disabled people. The study applied thematic analysis to the qualitative data using NVivo software. The disabled people were found to have distinctive employment experien…
The relationship between the community participation of disabled youth and socioeconomic factors
Mixed methods were applied to examine the association of community participation by disabled youth with socioeconomic factors in rural Sri Lanka. There was a significant association between community participation and socioeconomic factors in the quantitative survey (n = 116): participants living in socioeconomically disadvantaged conditions had lower levels of community participation than those living without these disadvantages. Consistent with…
Integration of Religion and Spirituality With Social Work Practice in Disability Issues
This case study examines the integration of religion and spirituality (RS) into disability issues from the perspective of social work in Sri Lanka. Participant observation was applied in the model administrative division of the national community-based rehabilitation (CBR) program in Anuradhapura from February 2013 to January 2015. Theravada Buddhists constitute more than 99% of the population in the area studied. The participation opportunities …
Local Resources of Disabled People in Sri Lanka
This case study examines local resources of disabled people at the individual and social levels in a rural area. The research was conducted in the model administrative division of the national community-based rehabilitation (CBR) programme in Sri Lanka. In this division, the programme began in 1998, and international volunteers started support activities in 2007. The author applied action research after commencing work as a social worker in the l…
The relationship between the community participation of disabled youth and socioeconomic factors
Mixed methods were applied to examine the association of community participation by disabled youth with socioeconomic factors in rural Sri Lanka. There was a significant association between community participation and socioeconomic factors in the quantitative survey (n = 116): participants living in socioeconomically disadvantaged conditions had lower levels of community participation than those living without these disadvantages. Consistent with…
Local Resources of Disabled People in Sri Lanka
This case study examines local resources of disabled people at the individual and social levels in a rural area. The research was conducted in the model administrative division of the national community-based rehabilitation (CBR) programme in Sri Lanka. In this division, the programme began in 1998, and international volunteers started support activities in 2007. The author applied action research after commencing work as a social worker in the l…
Integration of Religion and Spirituality With Social Work Practice in Disability Issues
This case study examines the integration of religion and spirituality (RS) into disability issues from the perspective of social work in Sri Lanka. Participant observation was applied in the model administrative division of the national community-based rehabilitation (CBR) program in Anuradhapura from February 2013 to January 2015. Theravada Buddhists constitute more than 99% of the population in the area studied. The participation opportunities …
The relationship between the community participation of disabled youth and socioeconomic factors
Mixed methods were applied to examine the association of community participation by disabled youth with socioeconomic factors in rural Sri Lanka. There was a significant association between community participation and socioeconomic factors in the quantitative survey (n = 116): participants living in socioeconomically disadvantaged conditions had lower levels of community participation than those living without these disadvantages. Consistent with…
Participation of Disabled Youths in Religious Activities
The author examines the relationship between the participation of disabled youths in religious activities and indigenous social work practices in Sri Lanka. Participant observation and household surveys were conducted in an area where the religious majority is Buddhist, followed by Muslim and Hindu. Religious activities arranged by social work practitioners provide opportunities for disabled youths to participate in the local community. This rese…
Experiences of disabled people making the transition from vocational training to employment in Sri Lanka
This study examines the experiences of disabled people in Sri Lanka as they make the transition out of vocational training programmes into employment. This study was carried out using purposive sampling method to select ‘good practice’ cases and semi-structured interviews with 12 disabled people. The study applied thematic analysis to the qualitative data using NVivo software. The disabled people were found to have distinctive employment experien…
Consolidating information on disability-inclusive policies
This exploratory and practical case study examines one country’s white papers on disability policies whilst drawing upon experiences of an international technical cooperation project. The creation process, contents, and functions of white papers on disability in Mongolia are analysed descriptively using document data and the author’s field notes. This case study on the practice which can be considered macro social work reveals that the creation o…
Lived Experience of Disability Equality Training Facilitators
This study explores the lived experiences of becoming and continuing as facilitators of Disability Equality Training (DET). This study was conducted in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, one of the countries where DET has been strategically implemented. Nine facilitators were selected by purposive sampling for semistructured interviews. Thematic analysis was applied to the narrative data for exploring themes with consideration to chronological sequence, name…
Exploring subjective experiences of international social workers in Asia
The aim of this study is to explore the subjective and practical experiences of international social workers, focusing on the content, outcomes, impact, and related factors of their activities in Asia. Individual reports of social workers dispatched from Japan to 11 Asian countries during the period of 2003–2018 were collected ( n = 59). A mixed quantitative and qualitative content analysis was used to examine their experiences and perceptions in…
Exploring how international social workers perceive culturally relevant practices
This pilot case study, as part of an international social work research project, explored how culturally relevant collaborative practices were perceived by international social workers. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with social workers ( n = 4) who had worked as Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers for 2 years in another Asian country. Thematic analysis was applied to their narratives. Three main themes were found: ‘socio‐cultural un…
Education and training opportunities for local and indigenous social workers
Many ‘non-professional’ and ‘non-certified’ social workers seem to conduct indigenous social work practices in low- and middle-income countries in Asia. From the perspective of international developmental social work, this case study explores the education and training opportunities for local and indigenous social workers in disability related fields. The data was mainly obtained through field work and practice conducted by the author, whose posi…
An exploration of contextually relevant curricula in international social work education
Current global uncertainties such as increasing socio-economic and political difficulties have amplified the significance of researching the nature of international social work education. This pilot study collaboratively investigated the educational characteristics of international social work curricula in Asia to identify the prevailing conditions related to this discipline. Data were collected in February 2023 at an international academic forum…
Process of constructing alternative social work discourses in Asia
This preliminary study examined the process of constructing alternative discourses on social work. It focused on the exploration of Buddhist social work by researchers and practitioners in Asian countries, including monks and nuns. The present investigation was grounded in the analytical perspective of the social representation theory posited in the domain of social psychology. Books, reports, and any relevant papers written in English were colle…
An inductive content analysis of international social welfare syllabi at national and public universities in Japan
To address global and local issues, the development of education on international social work and international social welfare is required in Japan. This study aims to identify the trends in and content of subjects related to international social welfare at national and public universities in Japan and use the findings to develop subject design. National, prefectural and other public universities that offered subjects related to international soc…
Incorporating co-created knowledge into mental health social work education in Japan
In Japan, several community-based practices have led to the formation of practical theories in community mental health social work. As an innovative example, social workers at Yadokari-no-sato, a nonprofit organization in Japan, have worked with persons with psychosocial disabilities, their families and other supporters since 1970, while developing theories based on collaborative practices. Thus, based on the work of this organization, this study…
Re-examining international social work theory
The purpose of this exploratory study is to present a discussion on new developmental perspectives for international social work (ISW) theory. In order to examine the various aspects of this theory, the author first discusses different theoretical social work frameworks. Since some aspects cannot be discussed according to these frameworks, three main perspectives are applied to examine these ISW theoretical assumptions: (1) the roots of ISW; (2) …
Attitudes towards international exchange among social workers in the Asian context
This study examined the factors, including indigenous knowledge, which influence practitioners’ attitudes towards the international exchange of social work ideas. A total of 228 valid questionnaire responses were obtained from self-identified social workers in selected Asian countries, and quantitative analysis was mainly employed to examine the factors shaping participants’ knowledge of and expectations for international exchange in social work.…
The Relationship Between International Social Work and Indigenousness
This study examined how indigenous perspectives are represented and discussed in the mainstream literature within the field of international social work. A scoping review was conducted to map both well-established and under-researched discourses in the literature. The findings revealed that the majority of the papers shed light on indigenous knowledges and practices in non-Western countries or regions and particularly within the Global South cont…
International social work gap or unknown reality? A geographical perspective for social work education
This brief note in Ideas and Actions expands the possibility of applying geographical viewpoints and methods to international social work education. After succinctly presenting new perspectives on international social work, this paper highlights the utility of human geographical viewpoints and methods in examining cross-border issues and international social work education and research. This study conducted geographical visualization by a geograp…
Comparative analysis of international social work and related subjects in eight Asian countries
This international study examined the state and context of international social work (ISW) education while encouraging its mutual development. For this purpose, it focused on ISW-related subjects in eight Asian countries that responded to the call for research proposals: the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Mongolia. A total of nine teams conducted qualitative surveys of ISW-related subjects in their…
Sociology (16 works) · Political science (13 works) · Social Work Education and Practice (13 works) · Social science (12 works) · Social Work (10 works) · Psychology (9 works) · Public relations (7 works) · Qualitative research (7 works) · Pedagogy (6 works) · Engineering (5 works)