Description: This book examines two characteristics that lie at the core of Japanese management: growth pursuit by internal investments (as opposed to acquisitions), and the intensive competition within and among Japanese firms. Odagiri also looks at how these firms maintain flexibility and efficiency under the seemingly rigid system of "lifetime" employment. This work begins with an enquiry into the financial and human aspects of the firm, with particular emphasis on its human portion. The motivation, behavior, and organization of Japanese management as well as the consequences of the system on the Japan's industrial organization and economy are explored. Emphasis is placed on the fact that competition is at the center of the Japanese economy and management style to the same, if not a greater, degree as in the West. This competition is enhanced by the growth preference of the Japanese management style and it also, in turn, makes growth possible.
Review Quotes: "This is a useful contribution to the rapidly expanding literature on the Japanese firm and economic system by one of Japan's leading industrial organization economists....It deserves to be widely read by those interested in the Japanese economic system and Japanese-related trade issues and by students of industrial organization and comparative institutional analysis."--Journal of Economic Literature
"Interesting and scholarly...well-written."--Contemporary Sociology