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theory Z
Posted On 11/25/2007 18:22:40 by derfus
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Strategic Management Review 26 November 2007Phnom Penh City Theory Z: How American Business Can Meet The Japanese ChallengeBy William Ouchi (1981) A Book Review By Derfus Synopsis This bestseller book not only explains incredible Japanese productivity levels, but also offers a plan to revitalize corporate America. Ouchi outlines what we can learn from Japanese business success and how American corporations can put it to use in the United States of America. The author has been successful in giving readers insights into what makes Japanese business so successful and to the extent of suggesting that the Japanese model is the benchmark for many western businesses to emulate. However, Ouichi revealed in his studies of US companies that there are “feeder companies” as having the same characteristics as Japanese companies. These are IBM, Procter and Gamble, HP & Kodak. I share the same feeling of those who believe that Ouchi could have contributed more by hypothesizing a model that embeds the strengths of both the Japanese and western models to achieve optimum outcomes. Many Japanese businesses embracing continuous improvement strategies are hardly drivers for major technological breakthroughs . With the exception of Toyota and Sony , NTT of Japan inspite of its being probably the biggest national telecommunications company in the world is very far behind world leaders like USA’s AT&T, MCI Worldcom and Deutch Bundespost of Germany. Conversely, to these weaknesses in technological breakthroughs of Japan, many US-based companies are excellent at large-scale investment in R&D programs that secure long-term competitive advantage (not to mention VIAGRA & MICROSOFT). Bottom line Message According to Ouchi, the secret of Japanese success is not technology but a special way of managing people – a style that focuses on a very strong corporate philosophy that incorporates distinct corporate culture, long-range staff development and consensus decision making.
Tags: Strategic Management Review
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