An Integrated Management System: Lessons from the Japanese Experience

Japanese management is characterized by a focus on the maximum utilization of human resources. This philosophy of management is realized through three general strategies: development of an internal labor market, articulation of a unique company philosophy, and intensive socialization of employees. These strategies in turn are manifested in a number of specific management techniques. These techniques can be adapted by businesses in other countries, and indeed some of them (e.g., long tenure, job rotation, consultative decision making) are in use in a number of top American companies.