Author's name appears as Lam Lai Fong Janna on front cover. Bibliography: leaves 117-120.

During the past several years, the publicized successes of Japanese production management techniques have created an interest in the potential of these techniques for application in an American manufacturing environment. One such Japanese technique that has been the focus of much attention from American manufacturers and production managers is the "just-in-time (JIT)" technique implemented with "Kanbans.”¹ However, the applications of the JIT technique in Japan that have been reported have been for large scale assembly line operations that, in general, encompass the unique physical and philosophical characteristics typical of Japanese production systems. The factors that contribute to the success of the JIT system in Japan are frequently not exhibited in manufacturing systems in the United States, especially in American systems that combine assembly and shop-type operations and encompass a high degree of system variability. As such, it is questionable whether the JIT technique can be successfully adapted to American manufacturing systems~that do not display the characteristics of Japanese production operations. Nevertheless, a number of American manufacturing companies, in hope of achieving at least some of the Japanese success in inventory control, quality control and production scheduling, have begun implementing the JIT technique in their own unique production environment. The purpose of this dissertation is to investigate implementing JIT in a non-Japanese production environment and to show how JIT can be adapted so that it can have a broader range of applicability, especially under the particular set of conditions that are very likely to exist in many American production environments. ¹Toyota uses a system of cards, called Kanbans, to control inventory and schedule production in their automotive assembly plants. / Ph. D.

published_or_final_version / Business Administration / Master / Master of Business Administration

Hochsch. für Wirtschafts-, Rechts- und Sozialwiss., Diss.--St. Gallen, 1995.

This research mainly examines the superior-subordinate relationship between Japanese managers and Thai subordinates working in joint ventures in Thailand, especially the management style of the Japanese and the reactions of the Thais, Cultural adaptation of Japanese expatriates and Thai subordinates is also explored. Through this study, we gain better understanding of the Japanese-Thai interpersonal relationships, communication patterns, work ethics, and other cultural values with particular emphasis on recurring themes such as concepts about work, vertical relationship, authority and supervision style, and gender issues. The in-depth interviews were conducted with ten Japanese managers, six Thai managers, and 12 Thai subordinates in Thailand in 2001. Findings show that although there are some similarities in Japanese and Thai cultural values at work, conflicts, frictions, and misunderstandings still exist between Japanese superiors and Thai subordinates because of their cultural differences. Both parties also have some stereotypes and negative myths of the other party. Concerning concepts about work, Japanese superiors prefer immediate actions from their Thai subordinates when problems arise whereas when the Thais encounter some difficulties in solving problems, they hesitate to inform their superiors. Since there is no clear job description in Japan, the Thais often feel uncomfortable when their job responsibilities overlap with their colleagues. Moreover, unlike Japanese people, Thai employees do not have a strong commitment to the company. Vertical relationship explores how the Japanese and the Thais build and maintain their relationships at work and after work hours. The Japanese believe that relationships should follow job accomplishment while the Thais think that good relationships should be established before working. After-hour activities are suggested as means to strengthen relationships between superiors and subordinates. Furthermore, Japanese superiors tend to use different strategies to supervise their Thai subordinates; those strategies include scolding, expecting expression of opinions, information sharing, and delegation of authority in decision making processes. However, the strategies seem not to work properly in Japanese-Thai joint ventures due to cultural differences at work. Although gender can be a barrier in career advancement in Japan, Japanese expatriates do not see this as the case in Thailand. However, most of the Thai female subordinates complained that women were less likely to get promotions while Thai male subordinates thought that career advancement was blocked because managerial positions were occupied by and reserved for Japanese expatriates. At the end, three cases are presented to illustrate how Japanese superiors and Thai subordinates adjust in intercultural work settings. Each case consists of two individuals' work experience and adaptability. We can see the importance of individual differences as some Japanese superiors and Thai subordinates realize cultural differences and try to adjust to the intercultural work settings while others hold back and, finally, resign from the company. To avoid conflicts and misunderstandings, and to work together effectively, Japanese managers and Thai subordinates should realize their cultural differences and learn the other's culture. If problems arise, they should be open-minded and willing to help each other solve the problems. / Graduation date: 2004

by Gerald Fong Chung-Leung and Harmon Lo Wai-Chuen. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1992. / Includes bibliographical references. / ABSTRACT --- p.ii / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.iii / LIST OF TABLES/LIST OF FIGURES --- p.v / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.vi / Chapter I. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Overview --- p.1 / Case --- p.1 / Objective --- p.2 / Analytical Framework --- p.3 / Methodology --- p.5 / Literature Review --- p.6 / McGregor's Theory X and Theory Y --- p.7 / Maslow's Need Hierarchy Theory --- p.8 / Herzberg's Two Factor Theory --- p.9 / Hofstede's Four Dimensional Model of Cultural Difference --- p.10 / Chapter II. --- CULTURAL CHARACTERISTICS --- p.12 / National Culture --- p.12 / Japan --- p.13 / South-East Asian Countries --- p.14 / Organizational Culture --- p.16 / Japanese Organization --- p.16 / South East Asian Chinese Organizations --- p.21 / Chapter III. --- CASE STUDY --- p.25 / Management Practices of NCS --- p.25 / Management Effectiveness of NCS --- p.29 / Questionnaire --- p.29 / Demographic --- p.31 / Life time employment --- p.33 / Job Satisfaction Level --- p.34 / McGregory's Theory X and Theory Y --- p.36 / Maslow's Need Hierarchy Theory --- p.37 / Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory --- p.37 / Corporate Effectiveness --- p.38 / Chapter IV. --- CONCLUSION --- p.42 / Adoption of Japanese Management Style in NCS --- p.42 / Limitation --- p.45 / Management Implication --- p.46 / Recommendation --- p.47 / APPENDICES / BIBLIOGRAPHY

The aim of this thesis was to identify and analyze workplace conflict by enquiring into the nature of conflict, conflict management, and human resources (HR) strategies for conflict management in international companies based in Japan (ICBIJ). This study explores one part of a conflict system comprising cultural issues, HR strategies, conflict, and its effect on retention. The research question is "What is the nature of the conflict experienced by Japanese workers in international companies based in Japan and what type of conflict management do they access?" 16 Japanese workers were surveyed yielding qualitative and qualitative data. Findings indicate that workplace conflicts are both interpersonal and organizational. Participants used a variety of strategies to manage conflict which varied depending on the type of conflict and the rank of the participant. The findings indicate gaps between the ideal situation as described in the literature and reality.