"Identify and evaluate the different hypotheses which have been put forward to explain Japan's post war success in the international business arena"

Résumé du document

The Japan is currently the 2nd largest economy in the world, next to the United States. To achieve this position, the country has progressively enhanced its business environment to become internationally successful. Japan is an archipelago of 4 main islands, with a homogeneous population of 121 million inhabitants. Tokyo is the capital, and is a center for the government, business, education, culture, and information and communications. To understand better how Japan has driven its success along the post war era, we are going to identify and evaluate the various factors interconnected explaining the Japan's current position. First of all, I will briefly describe the history of the Japanese development. I will identify and evaluate the internal structure and patterns of the Japanese economic development, highlighting the government action, the business structure and approaches, and the society as a competitive advantage. Then, I will concentrate on the international economic relations to explain the Japanese post war success in the international business area. Thus, I will conclude by drawing the interaction of these factors illustrated through the "Power Triangle?, and the "Porter's Diamond?, framework of the Japan's National Advantage.

Extraits

[...] the “Kick Start”) spurred the Japanese production, helped by U.S. capital injection. The Japan's strategic geographic position will be used for the Korean War procurement and overall the fight against Communism's expansion. By this time, the San Francisco Treaty (1951) lifted on the political, economic, and military control. Hence, Japan has rebuilt its infrastructure with new technology (“scrap and build mentality), and established an efficient educational system (world highest literacy rate). The government invested in industrial capacity on heavy and military production and raw materials (iron, coal, steel) and then treble the industrial production. [...]

[...] Private initiatives and enterprises have been the Japanese economy's growth drivers, helped by government's strong support and guidance, and good labor factor conditions. During the early post-war era, Zaibaitsu system was disintegrated (Mac Arthur decree), and an antimonopoly legislation set up. However, rapidly a similar system has been re-established. The Keiretsu “connect strong incorporate network is one of the most important factors of the Japan's post-war recovery. This corporation form was built on one general major bank (financing over half capital), and many subsidiaries and affiliated companies (manufacturers, suppliers and distributors). [...]

[...] Job Rotation The aim is the multi-training, and the share of co-workers' knowledge to improve employees' performances and efficiency. Promotion based on seniority The Japanese society is a hierarchical structure (Confucianism). In business, the seniority (age and length of service) was more important than skills and initiatives. Although everyone received important bonuses twice a year based on the company performance, but the seniority still a component of wage. Japanese decision-making process (Ringi) Harmony and peace are predominant concerns in Japanese society. [...]

[...] During the 2nd World War of the industrial infrastructures has been destroyed, the population shocked, and the empire lost, stepping 15years back. Hence, the post-war era is focused on the reconstruction under the U.S. occupation (1945-1952). The SCAP (Supreme Commander for Allied Power) leads politically and economically the country. The general MacArthur was in charge of introducing a “democratic self-government” system, with people free compliance. The 1947 Japan constitution forbid the offensive military force, while Japan set up a strong defensive force. [...]

[...] BIBLIOGRAPHY Book References: Tipton, FB, The Rise of Asia, Macmillan Backman, The Asian Insider, Palgrave MacMillan El Kahal, Business in Asia Pacific, OUP Mac Cargo, Contemporary Japan, Palgrave Van Wolferen, The Enigma of Japanese Power, MacMillan Papermac Porter, Can Japan Compete? [...]