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What do we make of Japan? Myths and realities

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  • Lehmberg, Derek
  • Dhanaraj, Charles
  • Funai, Akie

Abstract

The disastrous events of 2011—an earthquake and a nuclear accident, a major accounting scandal at a well-known company, and an unusual current account deficit—have brought Japan back into the international news. Although China and other countries in Asia have grown faster and gained greater attention in the last decade, Japan continues to be an important business player. Japan has the world's third-largest economy and is home to many major corporations, leading-edge technology, operational knowhow, and a strong currency. While much about Japan seems familiar, many of our beliefs about the country remain frozen in the early 1990s, when Japanese management was a hot topic and Japanese businesses appeared invincible. Japan has changed much since then, however, and deserves an updated understanding. In this article, we identify six commonly held myths about Japan, present corresponding realities, and discuss recent developments and implications for managers.

Suggested Citation

  • Lehmberg, Derek & Dhanaraj, Charles & Funai, Akie, 2013. "What do we make of Japan? Myths and realities," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 56(2), pages 219-229.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:bushor:v:56:y:2013:i:2:p:219-229
    DOI: 10.1016/j.bushor.2012.11.006
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rebick, Marcus, 2005. "The Japanese Employment System: Adapting to a New Economic Environment," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780199247240.
    2. Ford, John B. & Honeycutt, Earl Jr., 1992. "Japanese national culture as a basis for understanding Japanese business practices," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 35(6), pages 27-34.
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    Cited by:

    1. Schonberger, Richard J., 2019. "The disintegration of lean manufacturing and lean management," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 62(3), pages 359-371.

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