Trends in Japanese Management

The period of economic decline during the 1990s produced a wave of studies focusing on the failure of Japanese management according to western criteria. Yet Japanese manufacturing firms have continued to hold competitive power in the world market. This book identifies the institutional specificity of Japanese Management and the reasons behind its continued competitiveness. Through an exploration of the strategy and structure of Japanese manufacturing corporations the authors discover the essential features and strength of Japanese management systems, their problems and new trends, and consider how management strategies have been developed for future success. This new, sophisticated analysis of Japanese manufacturing corporations, based on data from over two hundred corporations, will enable the reader to better understand Japanese management systems and their potential to lay a foundation for successful management systems throughout the world.

'Contrary to popular perception, Japanese management is not down and out. This book presents a view from inside major Japanese companies to show how they are adapting to new competitive conditions and yet at the same time maintaining their distinctive strengths. These are strengths that companies in other countries can well learn from, including the balancing of multiple goals, a respect for people and the everyday knowledge they possess, the use of teamwork, and the successful management of cooperative networks. Professors Kono and Clegg have produced a comprehensive guide to contemporary Japanese management that is invaluable and unique.' - Professor John Child, Chair of Commerce, Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham

'Kono and Clegg have brought us up to the present as far as Japanese management is concerned. Their book is a rich and timely treatment of all the latest developments in Japanese management, corporate organization, and competitive strategy. Practitioners and scholars wishing to stay informed of where Japanese business is coming from and where it is headed will find this a very useful study.' - Professor James Lincoln, Institute of Economic Research, Hitotsubashi University

Global management models-convergence or choice? Kono and Clegg's research provides a breakthrough for the strategist struggling to harness the best of all worlds. The durable Japanese model, founded upon visioning and learning, becomes a clear alternative to the traditional US model, constrained by 'short termism' and a focus on operating profits. These models don't converge; you chose.' - Peter McKiernan, Professor of Management; Research Director and Fellow of St Andrews Management Institute

'After two decades of books exalting Japanese management and then denigrating it, Kono and Clegg have produced a thoughtful, balanced, research-grounded and data-rich assessment that truly stands out. A most welcome addition to the literature!' - Robert E. Cole, Lorraine Tyson Mitchell II Chair in Leadership and Communication, Haas School of Business

TOYOHIRO KONO is Professor Emeritus of Business Administration at Gakushuin University, Tokyo, where he has taught Prinicples of Management and Corporate Strategy for over 30 years. A leading researcher in Corporate Strategy, he has published widely, and was previously Japan and South East Asia Editor for the journal Long Range Planning.

STEWART CLEGG is Research Professor in the School of Management at the University of Technology in Sydney. He is also Director of the Collaboration Research Group, leading research into alliancing and related forms of inter-organizational collaboration in a range of industries; and sits on the Registry of Co-operatives Ministerial Council. He has published over 20 books, and many journal articles, and acts as a consultant to The Sunday Times, the Australian Financial Review and to universities, businesses and health services.