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Enterprise unions and downsizing in Japan before and after 1997

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  • Noda, Tomohiko
  • Hirano, Daisuke

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether enterprise unions in Japan have changed their attitude toward downsizing before and after 1997. Our empirical analysis reveals that the attitudes of enterprise unions toward downsizing have changed since 1997. Before 1997, firms with strong unions, i.e., those affiliated with the federation, were likely to maintain employment until firms experienced two consecutive years of losses/deficits. However, after 1997, these firms tended to implement downsizing actions before they suffered deficits. These results suggest that the changes in the stances of the unions brought about changes in employment adjustment behaviors. The change in unions’ attitudes after 1997 is interpreted as being caused by the “no-layoff policy,” which was strongly associated with priority on job security over profitability. Moreover, downsizing was implemented with the consent of union members, and the cooperative relationship between unions and the management was maintained.

Suggested Citation

  • Noda, Tomohiko & Hirano, Daisuke, 2013. "Enterprise unions and downsizing in Japan before and after 1997," Journal of the Japanese and International Economies, Elsevier, vol. 28(C), pages 91-118.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jjieco:v:28:y:2013:i:c:p:91-118
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jjie.2013.01.003
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    Cited by:

    1. Dobbelaere, Sabien & Kiyota, Kozo & Mairesse, Jacques, 2015. "Product and labor market imperfections and scale economies: Micro-evidence on France, Japan and the Netherlands," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 43(2), pages 290-322.
    2. Yokoyama, Izumi & Kodama, Naomi & Higuchi, Yoshio, 2019. "Inequality through wage response to the business cycle–Evidence from the FFL decomposition method," Journal of the Japanese and International Economies, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 87-98.
    3. YOKOYAMA, Izumi & 横山, 泉 & OBARA, Takuya & 小原, 拓也, 2015. "Optimal Combination of Wage Cuts and Layoffs: The Unexpected Side Effect of a Performance-based Payment System," Discussion Papers 2015-07, Graduate School of Economics, Hitotsubashi University.
    4. Noda, Tomohiko, 2020. "Employee trust in management and mutual gains hypothesis in Japanese firms," Journal of the Japanese and International Economies, Elsevier, vol. 55(C).
    5. Sebastien Lechevalier & Cyrille Dossougoin & Christophe Hurlin & Satoko Takaoka, 2014. "How did the Japanese Employment System Change?Investigating the Heterogeneity of Downsizing Practices across Firms," KIER Working Papers 883, Kyoto University, Institute of Economic Research.
    6. Blind, Georg D. & Lottanti von Mandach, Stefania, 2021. "Private Equity Buyouts in Japan: Effects on Employment Numbers," Journal of the Japanese and International Economies, Elsevier, vol. 59(C).
    7. Ryu‐ichiro Murota, 2018. "Aggregate demand deficiency, labor unions, and long‐run stagnation," Metroeconomica, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 69(4), pages 868-888, November.
    8. TAKAHASHI Hidetomo & XU Peng, 2024. "Business Restructuring and Corporate Governance: Evidence from survey data," Discussion papers 24011, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).
    9. SARUYAMA Sumio & Peng XU, 2019. "Going Concern Notes, Downsizing, and Exit," Discussion papers 19001, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Employment adjustments; Corporate governance; Enterprise unions; Downsizing;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance
    • J23 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Demand
    • M51 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Firm Employment Decisions; Promotions

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