Cultural influences on Taiwanese police management and patrol practices: An exploratory investigation of Ouchi's Theory Z

Theory Z is a management theory which combines Japanese and American manage rial practices. The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of 20 middle-ranking police officials in Taiwan to determine how Taiwanese po lice practices are influenced by Japan and the United States, and to determ ine if this influence was affected by three components of management Theory Z: groupism, seniority, and non-specialized career paths. Results indicate d that Japanese police practices had a stronger influence on Taiwanese poli ce practices than did police practices in the United States. Theory Z compo nents were applicable, but were not widely recognized by Taiwan police offi cials.