Harmony in Japanese Management

Shoko Fujitani,

Sophia University, Tokyo

1

• Concept of 和 (wa), or "Peace and Harmony“

• It is very important to maintain harmony, humility, loyalty, respect and consensus.

Harmony 和和和和

Source: www.suzybug.com

© Shoko Fujitani, 2009

• Native religion of Japan-Shinto promotes harmony and purity in all spheres of life.

• Cherishing the collectivistic harmony of the community was very important for the Japanese industrial society.

Source: wikipedia

Source:

ampontan.wordpress.com© Shoko Fujitani, 2009

Origin

• Emphasize more on indirectness and ambiguity- to avoid conflict or maintain harmony within the group.• Japanese students are ready to absorb knowledge with a passive attitude, but reluctant to express their own ideas. • Westernersmay think that having knowledge but lacking the power to express it clearly is no better than never having any ideas at all.

Source: http://keizai.soka.ac.jp/assets/images/cache/page_20080716IPM2_w700_h470.JPG

© Shoko Fujitani, 2009

Communication and Decision Making

• Japan-Early in workers' careers, salary increases and promotions are generally the same.•WHY? To keep the harmony and to avoid the conflict, stress and jealousy within the group.

Source: http://www.neosystem.co.jp/company/event/img/H1810_02.jpg

© Shoko Fujitani, 2009

Promotion, Reward and Seniority

Conclusion

• Westerners may think that having the same pay, and knowing how much other workers receive may lead to a lack of motivation in each individual.

• But in Japan, belonging to the group is very important and motivates people.

• To work well together Japanese employees try to keep harmony within their teams and avoid open conflict .

6

These slides are part of a student podcast project related to the book “J-Management: Fresh Perspectives on the Japanese Firm in the 21st Century” edited by

Dr. Parissa Haghirian of Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan.

For further information about the podcasts and the book, please visit www.parissahaghirian.com

These slides are to be used for teaching and educational purposes only.

About This Project