The Japan management system has three levels of attention: An overall focus, general strategies and specific techniques.
Unique Features of Japanese
Management
The Japan management system has three levels of attention: An overall focus, general strategies and specific techniques.
Focus
The essence of management in
large Japanese organisations is its focus on human resources. Management considers
its human resources, more than its financial or physical resources. The
Japanese organisations go all out to develop the human resources. Much of the
Japanese management revolves around a distinct approach to personal management.
Such a focus on the human resources helped the Japanese industry to achieve so
much inspite of the poor endowment of the natural resources.
Strategies
The concern for human resources
is manifested in three interrelated strategies. First, employees are offered
long-term employment. This demonstrates the organisation’s commitment to its
people. Second, the organisation’s philosophy concerning employee needs and the
values of cooperation and teamwork are well articulated. Third, close attention
is given to hiring new employees who fit well in the organisation and to
ensuring that this fit is maintained and enhanced throughout the employee’s
work life.
i. Life time
employment
The U.S. view towards employees is that when times
are bad, employees are laid off and fired. In Japan, except in the most severe
economic circumstances, employees are assured of permanent employment. Usually
new employees are hired fresh out of educational institutions. The
organisations then train them, make promotions from their internal pool, and emphasises
seniority in the allocation of rewards. Long-term employment leads to high
employee morale. For the organisation, the benefits are : low employee
turnover, low training costs, and high organisational cohesiveness.
ii.
Organisational philosophy
Each Japanese organisation has a specific
philosophy that presents a clear picture of its objectives and values. It acts
as a super ordinate goal- a shared and unifying goal with which all
organisational members can identify, support and place above any one person’s
individual goals. A common theme among Japanese companies is a heavy emphasis
on cooperation and teamwork. Members of the company are part of a family. The
theme spirit and cooperation characteristic of a family are possible with the
security provided by the strategy of permanent employment.
iii.
Intensive socialisation
Employees once hired undergo an initial training
programme, the purpose of which is to familiarise the employee with the
organisation. Over a period, the employee identifies himself with the company.
He is socialised very intensively.
Tags : Management Concepts & Organisational Behaviour - Japanese Management Practices
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