Gregory Laurence ’04 M.A.I.R. is now a professor of management at the University of Michigan-Flint School of Management. He has also been named director of graduate studies, Center of Japanese Studies, at Michigan’s Ann Arbor campus. Laurence joined the University in 2010 after earning a Ph.D. in management from Syracuse University’s Whitman School.

Laurence’s current research interests on Japan include the psychology of workaholism and job crafting. He evaluates how Japanese worker’s pull lengthy hours, what motivates them, and how they manage their work. In 2017, Laurence was awarded Win Cooper II Faculty Excellence Award by the University of Michigan-Flint School of Management. Laurence’s most recent co-authored publication, “Enjoyment of Work and Driven to Work as Motivations of Job Crafting: Evidence from Japan and China in The Japanese Psychological Association,” evaluates how job crafting motivates workers in East Asia.

Prior to earning a Ph.D. at Syracuse, Laurence embarked on his professional career in Japan as an English as a Second Language teacher for Meitoku Gijuku Jr. and Sr. High School (1999-2001) and AEON Corp., Ltd. (1995-1999). Laurence has also held careers in Japan as a membership manager for the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan and as international business development manager for PADECO Co., Ltd.