THE JAPANESE MEANING OF WORK AND SMALL GROUP ACTIVITIES IN JAPANESE INDUSTRIAL ORGANIZATIONS

Japan has modernized itself by using Western countries as its model of development. Japanese management is, however, not necessarily an imitation of European or American management. It is unique and deeply rooted in the tradition of Japanese society, which has nourished such practices as periodic recruitment of employees, life-time employment, seniority wage system and company unions. In this paper, the meaning of Japanese working life, work motivation and values will be discussed first. This is followed by a review of Japanese manager—employee relations from the standpoint of the author's PM leadership theory. Finally, organizational development experience in the Nishitetsu Railroad Company and the Mitsubishi Shipyard will be presented to illustrate intervention schemes in solving accident and safety problems with special reference to leadership development and small group activities.