The Japanese Firm: Sources of Competitive Strength (Clarendon Paperbacks) - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0198292155 ISBN 13: 9780198292159

Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA, 1996

Synopsis

Japanese firms have come under close examination by their international counterparts, who seek insight into the sources of Japanese accomplishments. The Japanese Firm reveals the complex network of institutions and practices surrounding the Japanese firm to explain the successes of the Japanese economy. A team of internationally renowned scholars uses theoretical and empirical work, and combines contributions from the fields of institutional economics, organizational theory, economic history, and sociology to elucidate the distinctive social and economic context of Japanese firms. Through an analysis of the internal structure of firms, the interdependency of firms and their suppliers, and the effects of relative income and power equality, Aoki and Dore recognize the diversity of experience within Japan and address the transferability or adaptability of the Japanese experience to the Nordic or Anglo-American context.

About this title

Review:

This is an excellent collection of papers for which the authors, the editors and the conference organizers should be congratulated. I found valuable insights in almost every chapter, and the whole was even better than the sum of its parts. One point that was brought out by a number of authors was what the editors referred to in their introduction as `systemic awareness' - that specific attributes of the Japanese firm should not be considered in isolation, as they are all interrelated elements of a broader system. This book brings together many of these elements, and provides the reader with that vital systemic awareness. (Asia Pacific Business Review)

Many of the papers reflect the use of the new institutional economies to explain the nature of the Japanese firm and the sources of its competitive strength. They also display a laudable attempt to show the dependency between institutions, something which is important, but difficult, to do ... The papers are not only theoretical and empirical studies of the Japanese case, they also often contain a comparative aspect ... the account of the Japanese firm under the wartime planned economy given by Tetsuji Okazaki is fascinating ... higly informative and expertly combines modern approaches to the theory of the firm with empirical studies of a diverse range. I recommend this volume for those interested in the firm, the Japanese firm, and the skilful application of theories of the firm. The papers will undoubtedly enhance people's knowledge of the Japanese economy, but also stimulate new avenues of enquiry. (Japan Forum)

This is an excellent collection of papers for which the authors, the editors and the conference organizers should be congratulated. I found valuable insights in almost every chapter, and the whole was even better than the sum of its parts. (Asia Pacific Business Review)

'all of the essays are to be highly recommended.' (Business History)

Fourteen useful papers that attempt to improve our understanding of the role of the firm in the Japanese economic system, as well as explain the corporate success of Japan. I hoipe we will not be required to wait too long for a similar volume that examines the traumas of the past five years. - Long Range Planning. April 1998.

Book Description:

Leading scholars present new insights into the firm

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 0198292155
• ISBN 13: 9780198292159
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 424
• Editor: Aoki Masahiko