In the late 1970ties many scholars began to realize the emergence of a Non-Western country as economic competitor. In particular, Japanese companies showed their superior competitiveness in some markets such as that for cameras, video recorders, televisions and started to build production plants around the world. The study of Japanese management practices abroad was the starting point of EAMSA.
In November 1984 30 scholars mainly from Europe and Japan came together in Berlin at the Science Center Berlin and the Free University to discuss about the transferability of Japanese Management to Europe. One result of this meeting was the establishment of the Euro-Japanese Management-Studies-Group. One year later, at a second meeting in London at the Policy Studies Institute the scope of interest enlarged to the internationalization of Japanese business. The study group was formalized and renamed to Euro-Japanese Management Studies Association.
In the 1980ties China emerged as economic power and many other countries of Asian caught up. The scientific interest focused not purely on the analyses of economic success but also on the success of the often state-led development strategies of these countries. Consequently, the EJMSA was renamed once again to its actual name Euro-Asia Management Studies Association (EAMSA) and its scope of interest broadened.