Sociology 31, Fall 1998, Prof. Aldrich & Ms. Renzulli

September 1, 1998

Summary

Quiz: Identify one major reason why the workers at the Subaru plant in Indiana were not as satisfied with their jobs as the workers at NUMMI. Explain yourself!

Review last class: be able to identify the key features of the Japanese corporate system and the Japanese human resource management system. 7 characteristics discussed in class & listed on August 27th summary.

What disadvantages are there to the Japanese system, as practiced in Japan?

  1. Loss of individuality
  2. Job stress & overwork ("karoshi" -- death from overwork!)
  3. Exclusion of women and minorities -- only open to about 1/3 of the work force (men in large firms)
  4. Young people are not as interested in working like this anymore!

 

Why Are Japanese Auto Firms in the USA?

-to get around the import quotas that were imposed in the 1970s

-suppliers came over, as well as mfgs

-Japanese firms have also been established in Europe, to get around European Union restrictions on imports. They are especially important in England, where by 1993, 150 Japanese owned plants had been established, employing 40,000 workers. Nissan, Hon da, and Toyota set up plants in the United Kingdom.

 

Why is so much attention being paid to them?

-they are very efficient & produce high quality cars (reduce the number of man-hours it takes to build a car)

-put competitive pressures on US mfgs

-not just auto mfgs anymore: also fiberoptics, electronics, trucks, etc. (North Carolina: Charlotte area, RTP; in Rocky Mount, a truck plant uses the Japanese system)

 

What are the elements of the Japanese system in America?

  1. Kaizen (continuous improvement) Question: in what ways does this put pressure on workers? How is knowledge appropriated by management?
  2. careful selection of personnel -- how can they afford to be so picky? Choosing a few workers out of the many who applied. Question: if applicants "fake it," should management be concerned?
  3. team concept. Question: in what ways does using teams lead to greater managerial control of the workers?

    4. -peer pressure, self-discpline, team leaders, cross-training

  4. high job security
  5. learning orientation on the shop floor
  6. long working hours
  7. just-in-time production (more a way of putting pressure on suppliers than on workers)
  8. computerized assembly line: Question: how does this put pressure on the employees?

Questions: If workers are unhappy with work arrangements, what can they do? Do they fight back? Collectively or individually? What role have unions played?

Summary Points:

  1. The Japanese corporate system has been very effective at efficiently producing high quality goods in volume
  2. Japanese firms have achieved greater worker cooperation in the workplace than have other firms. Whether you can it "compliance" or "control," the effect has been to increase productivity.
  3. What are the costs and benefits of such a system? And will it last in America?

 

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