Have Japanese Firms Changed?

by Gavin Blair

By Hiroaki Miyoshi and Yoshifumi Nakata
A look at how Japanese firms have adapted to the changes that have occurred since the bursting of the economic bubble. Twelve chapters from a range of contributors, both Japanese and foreign, examine this fundamental question as it relates to various sectors and issues. Topics covered include the semiconductor industry, enterprise software, R&D management, human resources, automotive technology policy and stock options. The overarching focus is on whether Japanese firms have changed sufficiently, given the shifts occurring in the global economy. A simplified summary of the book’s conclusion is that, while Japanese firms have continued to progress technologically in many other areas, the level of change hasn’t been sufficiently fast or drastic.