Challenged to a dual role

Article Abstract:

Croda International is a UK specialty chemical manufacturer that was given the challenge of facilitating the acceptance of a foreigner in the dual role of chairman and president of a Japanese subsidiary by Japanese directors and employees. The fact that the positions of chairman and president in Japanese companies are traditionally held by nationals, plus the fact that two different people usually take on each of the positions, made the idea of a foreign president or 'gaijin sacho' a radical deviation from existing Japanese business practices. The gaijin sacho was faced with the task of effectively acting out two conflicting roles, that of a corporate public figure and that of a managing director. Croda realized that the success of the gaijin sach in implementing any organizational changes would depend on patience and a long-range strategy, combined with a clearly defined personnel policy.

CHEMICALS AND ALLIED PRODUCTS, Social aspects, Foreign operations, Employment abroad, Overseas employment, Corporate culture, Croda International PLC

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The paranoia gripping Japanese business

Article Abstract:

Japanese companies have greatly increased their presence in Europe in the last two years. Japanese government statistics reveal that Japanese manufacturing plants in Europe increased by 116 in one year to a total of 392 in 1988. The new influx has been driven by a fear that the European Community may create heavily protectionist trade barriers as part of the economic unification in 1992. Specifically, the Japanese worry about the EC's demand for trade reciprocity between Europe's and Japan's markets. There are other reasons for Japan's renewed interest in Europe, as well, including: expectations of increased competition within Europe; hopes that a unified Europe will decrease marketing problems; and opportunities created by the increasing strength of the yen against European currencies.

Europe, Foreign investments, Economic aspects, International business enterprises, Multinational corporations, Europe, Western

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Turning a time bomb into a secret weapon

Article Abstract:

European companies are becoming less competitive in the global economic market because of defeatist attitudes, and because Europeans believe that management entails conveying managers' ideas to workers. The Japanese believe that the job of the manager is to engage the talents of the workers to serve corporate goals. The common characteristic of well-run companies is not that they use specific management techniques such as quality circles, but that the management style of the company fits in with its surrounding cultural and social environment, and the rights of workers as individuals are respected.

Methods, Employee motivation

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