Sony the Private Life - Softcover
Japanese corporations are notoriously secretive – John Nathan is the first person to be granted access to the principals at Sony for this brilliant and unique account of a hitherto closed world.
In the wastelands of post-war Tokyo, two men, Akio Morita and Masaru Ibuka, formed the company that was to become one of the greatest corporations of the twentieth century. John Nathan tells the extraordinary story of how a small family business became a multi-national with a turnover of billions, whose products are sold throughout the world.
Sony matched its revolutionary technology with revolutionary methods of marketing – it was one of the first corporations to embrace globalization. So began a dramatic clash of two cultures, one rooted in Japanese native tradition and the other irreconcilably western. In relating the history of this clash John Nathan has also written a cultural history of Japan in the last fifty years.
The disastrous purchase of Columbia Pictures took Sony into a world for which it was utterly unprepared, exacerbated by the cultural clash. This is the fullest analysis yet of this dramatic period, put together despite Sony’s policy of silence about many of the details.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Review:
From the Back Cover:
‘If there is a better business book this year, we will be very lucky.’
Newsweek
'Fully updated with a new chapter'
"Insightful, probing, and extremely well written; in the genre of business and company profiles, this is as good as it gets."
KIRKUS REVIES
Drawing on his unmatched expertise in Japanese culture and his unique, unlimited access to Sony's inner sanctum, John Nathan pulls the veil from one of the worlds most successful and secretive corporations. He uncovers persuasive evidence that Sony's biggest triumphs, from colour TV to CDs, and most calamitous failures, like the Betamax debacle and the vexed takeover of Columbia Pictures, stem from a web of intense relationships that have always characterised its top ranks. He etches incisive portraits of the company's famously enigmatic cofounder, Akio Morita; it's patrician autocratic CEO, Norio Ohga; and its edgy new leader, Nobuyuki Idei.
With authority and wit, Nathan dispels myths that surround Sony and crafts an unparalleled corporate drama.
"An indispensable book for all students of Japanese business and the electronics industry."
TIMES HIGHER EDUCATIONAL SUPPLEMENT
"A well-written and entertaining saga."
FINANCIAL TIMES
"Fascinating... an easy and informative read."
STRATEGY
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherHarperCollins Business
- Publication date2002
- ISBN 10 0006530915
- ISBN 13 9780006530916
- BindingPaperback
- Number of pages368
- Rating
Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace
Stock Image
Sony: The Private Life
Published by
HarperCollins Publishers
(2001)
ISBN 10: 0006530915
ISBN 13: 9780006530916
Used
Paperback
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Used: Good. Seller Inventory # SONG0006530915
Buy Used
£ 6.42
Convert currency
Stock Image
Sony: The Private Life
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Sony: The Private Life This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 7719-9780006530916
Buy Used
£ 3.25
Convert currency
Seller Image
Sony: The Private Life
Published by
HarperCollins Business
(2001)
ISBN 10: 0006530915
ISBN 13: 9780006530916
Used
Softcover
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: Good. Most items will be dispatched the same or the next working day. A copy that has been read but remains in clean condition. All of the pages are intact and the cover is intact and the spine may show signs of wear. The book may have minor markings which are not specifically mentioned. A tan to the pages. Seller Inventory # wbb0024419745
Buy Used
£ 1.30
Convert currency
Stock Image
Sony: The Private Life
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Very Good. This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 6545-9780006530916
Buy Used
£ 3.25
Convert currency
Stock Image
Sony the Private Life
Published by
HarperCollins Business
(2002)
ISBN 10: 0006530915
ISBN 13: 9780006530916
Used
Softcover
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Softcover. Condition: Bon. Traces d'usure sur la couverture. Edition 2002. Ammareal reverse jusqu'à 15% du prix net de cet article à des organisations caritatives. ENGLISH DESCRIPTION Book Condition: Used, Good. Signs of wear on the cover. Edition 2002. Ammareal gives back up to 15% of this item's net price to charity organizations. Seller Inventory # E-179-590
Buy Used
£ 4.93
Convert currency
Stock Image
Sony the Private Life
Published by
HarperCollins Publishers, United Kingdom, London
(2002)
ISBN 10: 0006530915
ISBN 13: 9780006530916
Used
Paperback
Quantity: 2
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Very Good. In the wastelands of post-war Tokyo, two men, Akio Morita and Masaru Ibuka, formed the company that was to become one of the greatest corporations of the 20th century. John Nathan tells the story of how a small family business became a multi-national with a turnover of billions, whose products are sold throughout the world. Sony matched its revolutionary technology with revolutionary methods of marketing - it was one of the first corporations to embrace globalization. So began a dramatic clash of two cultures, one rooted in Japanese native tradition and the other irreconcilably western. In relating the history of this clash John Nathan has also written a cultural history of Japan in the last 50 years. The disastrous purchase of Columbia Pictures took Sony into a world for which it was utterly unprepared, exacerbated by the cultural clash. This is the fullest analysis yet of this dramatic period, put together despite Sony's policy of silence about many of the details. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR001059080
Buy Used
£ 18.90
Convert currency
Stock Image
Sony the Private Life
Published by
HarperCollins Publishers, United Kingdom, London
(2002)
ISBN 10: 0006530915
ISBN 13: 9780006530916
Used
Paperback
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Good. In the wastelands of post-war Tokyo, two men, Akio Morita and Masaru Ibuka, formed the company that was to become one of the greatest corporations of the 20th century. John Nathan tells the story of how a small family business became a multi-national with a turnover of billions, whose products are sold throughout the world. Sony matched its revolutionary technology with revolutionary methods of marketing - it was one of the first corporations to embrace globalization. So began a dramatic clash of two cultures, one rooted in Japanese native tradition and the other irreconcilably western. In relating the history of this clash John Nathan has also written a cultural history of Japan in the last 50 years. The disastrous purchase of Columbia Pictures took Sony into a world for which it was utterly unprepared, exacerbated by the cultural clash. This is the fullest analysis yet of this dramatic period, put together despite Sony's policy of silence about many of the details. The book has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Some minor wear to the spine. Seller Inventory # GOR004370541
Buy Used
£ 18.90
Convert currency