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Homepage of Kazuto Misumi

This homepage is to introduce research and educational activities of Kazuto Misumi (real name: Kazuo Misumi).

Recent Research Themes

My study consists of three main parts as below. (The references only include papers written in English.)

Ⅰ. Sociological Theorizing through Interpretive Formalization

When we found correlation between given variables, the important thing for sociological theory is the social process that generates the relationship, about which, however, statistical models tell us nothing. However, it is possible for us to hypothetically formulate the process and utilize the formal model for measurement and/or data analysis. I call this data oriented formal approach ‘interpretive formalization.’ Through what process and under what conditions, a specific distributional pattern appears as regards opinions and behaviors. For the issue, interpretive formalization plans to elaborate it by putting observed data into the model, and compare the results as similarly as interpretive case study. Additionally, it plans to analyze a described case formally by a mathematical model in order to extract alternative interpretations forward falsifiability.
The following is the list of my study under this theme.
1). Analyzing the relationship between role image diversity and the opinion on sexual division of labor, through Boolean role image model.
2). More generally, applying Boolean logic for analysis of survey data.
3). Reinterpreting the history of commons management and classifying environmental problems in terms of social dilemma models.
4). Reexamining the data about differential association by a combinatorial model of social connections.
5). Applying the method of comparative narratives for the secondary analysis of documents on social conflicts and life history data (I-1, 2).
In the course of this approach, I have begun formal theoretical analysis of symbolic mechanisms. Moreover, I have discussed about the methodological basis and policy implications of interpretive formalization.

(I-1) Misumi, Kazuto, 2004,“Comparative Narratives for Analyzing Job Career: From the Viewpoint of Social Capital.”In Misumi, Kazuto, Possibility of Interpretive Formalization, Working Papers: Grant-in-Aid for Exploratory Research: 25-36.
(I-2) Misumi, Kazuto, 2022, "Comparative Narrative as Secondary Analysis: Reconsidering the “Hachinosu Castle” Dispute,” Bulletin of the Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Global Society, Kyushu University 29 (1): 15-37,

II．Mathematical Sociology on Group Processes

The purpose of this part is to formulate and explain group processes as such as social differentiation, division of labor, communication, cooperation, and conflict, by constructing mathematical models. Concretely, I have worked on the following issues. 1). Analyzing consensus, conflict, and change of role norms by Boolean role image model (II-1, II-2, II-3, II-4). 2). Analyzing the commons management problem by social dilemma models (II-5). 3) Formulating structural effects by a combinatorial model of social connections. 4). Developing network analysis forward effective treatment of social capital (II-6, II-7). I adopt here orthodox mathematical sociology that aims deductive theory building. However, by intentionally overlapping the issues and models with part [I], I plan to construct new mathematical sociology that synthesizes theory oriented and data oriented approaches together. Additionally, by intentionally focusing on neoclassical theorizing, I plan to contribute on cumulative theory development. In this line my focus is on the mechanism of solidarity mediated by social networks [II-8, II-9, II-10].

(II-1) Misumi, Kazuto, 2001, "Two Levels of Dyscommunication: An Analysis by Boolean Role Model." Riron to Hoho (Sociological Theory and Methods) 16(2): 229-243.
(II-2) Misumi, Kazuto, 2002, "Boolean Model of Role Discrimination." Journal of Mathematical Sociology 26(1-2): 111-121.
(II-3) Misumi, Kazuto, 2004, "The Complementarity of Normative Expectations in Rational Choice Frameworks." In Misumi, Kazuto, Possibility of Interpretive Formalization, Working Papers: Grant-in-Aid for Exploratory Research: 37-48.
(II-4) Misumi, Kazuto, 2007, A Formal Theory of Roles, Hana-Syoin.
(II-5) Misumi, Kazuto, 1989, "Communication Structure, Trust and the Free Rider Problem." Journal of Mathematical Sociology 14(4): 273-282.
(II-6) Misumi, Kazuto, 2005, "Whole-net Base and Social Capital: Stratified Opportunity Structure of Social Capital." Riron to Hoho (Sociological Theory and Methods) 20(1): 5-25.
(II-7) Misumi, Kazuto, 2008. “Social Capital on Net-Bases: A Methodological Note,” Bulletin of the Graduate School of Social and Cultural Studies, Kyushu University 14: 49-63.
(II-8) Misumi, Kazuto, 2009, "Solidarity as Network Imagination,” Misumi, K. (ed.), Solidarity from the Net-base Viewpoint, Working Papers: Grant-in Aid for Exploratory Research: 15-30.
(II-9) Misumi, Kazuto, 2014, "Net-base Theory of Social Capital," Social Analysis 41: 67-85.
(II-10) Misumi, Kazuto, 2015, "The Structure of the Sense of Solidarity: Notes on 2012 Solidarity Survey.”Bulletin of the Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Global Society, Kyushu University 22(2): 1-13.

III. Empirical Study on Social Stratification and Urbanization

I have participated in SSM (Social Stratification and Mobility) National Survey Project three times (1985, 1995, and 2005), and analyzed the data on those topics such as boundaries of occupational mobility, consciousness on stratification and class identity, the relationship between occupational mobility and regional mobility, and the relationship between social networks and stratification. Additionally, through some urban sociological research projects, I have conducted case study on community change under urbanization, and comparative study of urban communities as well. These constitute an independent part of my study; however, my broader concern here is summarized for group processes in a stratified society (specifically as regards flux and social order). Focusing on social mobility and its relationship with rational choice and social networks, some of my papers attempt to link survey research to the previous formal approaches (I-1, II-5, III-1). Though, it still remains as a big task for the future. Recently I have worked on East Asian comparative stratification research by connecting comparative methodology and the perspective of social capital (III-2).

(III-1) Misumi, Kazuto, 2009, "Gender Bias in Branching Employment Sequence: A Comparative Study between Japan and Korea." Bulletin of the Graduate School of Social and Cultural Studies, Kyushu University 15: 59-74.
(III-2) Misumi, Kazuto (ed.), 2011, Study of an East Asian Stratification Model, Grant-in-Aid for Scientific research (B)

IV. Empirical Study on Disaster and Local Community

In collaborative research with University of Seoul, I theoretical studied the mechanism that “trust” promotes free riders (IV-1). Furthermore, while conducting fieldwork in the disaster-stricken areas after Kumamoto earthquake in 2016, I empirically studied the possibility of free rider to contribute to the disaster resilience of local community (IV-2). Practically, I have participated in the creation of the Kumamoto version of the disaster prevention education tool "Crossroads" (IV-3). I am working on new community conception that synthesizes community of limited liability and urban commons and discuss positive meaning of free rider as stock of social capital (IV-4, IV-5). Through field survey in Takeo city about flood disater and reservoirs, I explore the potential of local communities on water regional common goods (IV-6).

(IV-1) Misumi, Kazuto, 2016, “Free Rider Facilitated by Trust,” The Journal of Culture Contents No.8 (Research Institute of the Creative Contents): 95-114, 2016.
(IV-2) Misumi, Kazuto, 2019, “Functioning of Free Rider for Community Resilience: A Social Capital Theory of Disaster,” Bulletin of the Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Global Society, Kyushu University 25 (1): 1-9.
(IV-3) Misumi, Kazuto, 2021, “The Significance of Comparative Analysis of ‘Crossroad’,” Bulletin of the Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Global Society, Kyushu University 27 (2): 16-21.
(IV-4) Misumi, Kazuto, 2023, “Community as A Social System for Managing Regional Common Goods,” Journal of the Sociological Society of West Japan 21: 65-76.
(IV-5) Misumi, Kazuto, 2023, “Community Module Complex: Integrating Commons Theory and Community Theory,” Social Analysis 50: 93-110.
(IV-6) Misumi, Kazuto, 2023, "Modern State and Potential of Local Community on Water Common Goods," 22th Synposium on Urban Flood Disaster: 1-8,



Methodologically, I do not want to stay within a narrow field in mathematical sociology, nor within a narrow field in positive sociology. Paying full attention to the strain between formal and empirical approaches, and between qualitative and quantitative analyses as well, I will continue to seek a path to synthesize them. Theoretically, I hope to propose a general theory of group processes that will make a breakthrough beyond the divided paradigms in modern sociology. I am going to hold this fundamental stance dreaming that my trivial footsteps should make up a symphony.