„Traditionelle Unternehmen haben ausgedient, die Zeit der Netzwerke bricht an.“ – Ken Everett, Australian manager
Thinking about social networks one might first think about times long ago when hierarchical structures were a target thing. In those days people were more related on each other. As there has been no social solution in cases of illness or unemployment, for instance, the family was the only solution to help one in such crises. Furthermore the people were living together in tribes , where all generations came together, so the group-feeling was very strong.
Nowadays people, especially in the Western cultures, try to create a system of individuality and independence: children should be reared in a way that they are become independent very early and more generations families living in same house together are hardly to find.
But of course there are still areas where networks play an important role. Looking in the internet, for instance, one can find an immense number of networks and communities.
Although individuality is quite important, furthermore networks play a more and more important role in the business world, as researchers found out that economy is a compact netting of social networks. (Krupp 1996: 290)
But Nevertheless, the role of social networks differs between the cultures. In Japan, for instance, business networks have existed for hundreds of years and play an essential role, while Western cultures have just started to discover their importance in business.
As the Japanese economy is playing an increasingly important role as a leader and economic superpower in the world (second largest economy on the globe) (De Mente 2005: 140), one may assume that by copying the Japanese networks, one can also copy their success.
By looking at these Japanese networks and analysing them, this essay will try to prove, that the Western cultures can learn and benefit from these networks.
To make the origin of the Japanese networks understandable to the reader the second chapter is going to look at the main aspects of the Japanese society. The third chapter looks at the networks in Japan and their role in Japanese business, starting with the first form Zaibatsu, from its beginning until the Second World War.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- INTRODUCTION
- THE JAPANESE SOCIETY
- JAPANESE NETWORKS
- Mitsui-Zaibatsu
- Keiretsu
- Horizontal Keiretsu
- Vertical Keiretsu
- Production Keiretsu (seisan keiretsu)
- Distribution Keiretsu (ryûtsû keiretsu)
- Compare: Zaibatsu - Keiretsu
- Advantages and Disadvantages of Keiretsu
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
The aim of this term paper is to explore the influence of social networks in Japanese business, specifically focusing on the Keiretsu system. The paper will trace the historical development of networks in Japan, starting with the Zaibatsu and examining the evolution to Keiretsu. It will analyze the structure, function, and dynamics of these networks, considering their advantages and disadvantages. The ultimate goal is to understand how these networks have shaped the Japanese economy and potentially offer insights for Western business practices.
- The role of social networks in Japanese business
- The historical development of networks in Japan, from Zaibatsu to Keiretsu
- The structure, function, and dynamics of Keiretsu networks
- Advantages and disadvantages of Keiretsu networks
- Potential applications of Keiretsu principles in Western business contexts
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: The introduction sets the stage for the term paper by discussing the importance of networks in society and how they have evolved over time. It emphasizes the unique role of networks in Japanese business and introduces the concept of Keiretsu as a central focus.
- The Japanese Society: This chapter delves into the cultural context of Japanese networks, highlighting the unique characteristics of Japanese society. It explores how cultural factors such as the emphasis on group harmony, long-term relationships, and the influence of traditional values have shaped the development of networks in Japan.
- Japanese Networks: This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of Japanese networks, starting with the Zaibatsu system that dominated the pre-World War II era. It then focuses on Keiretsu, analyzing its different forms (horizontal and vertical) and sub-categories (production and distribution keiretsu). The chapter concludes by comparing and contrasting Zaibatsu and Keiretsu, highlighting the evolution of these networks over time.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The core concepts explored in this paper include social networks, Japanese business, Keiretsu, Zaibatsu, group harmony, long-term relationships, cultural influence, economic development, and business strategy. These keywords provide a concise representation of the central themes and focus areas of the paper.
- Quote paper
- Katharina Niciejewska (Author), 2007, The influence of social networks in japanese business – Keiretsu as a japanese network, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/73421
