“Japanese and American Workers: Two Casts of Mind”

Excerpt from Theory Z

By William Ouchi

1981

The following essay compares and contrasts Japan’s collective

work ethic with the American spirit of individualism. As you

prepare to read the essay, think about your own work ethic:

Why you study, for example, do you prefer to study alone or

in a group? What kinds of jobs have you had? Did they stress

individual responsibility or team work? What gives you more

satisfaction – success gained through your own efforts or

work that has been completed as part of collaboration with

others?

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