Significant Historic Origins That Influenced The Team Concept In Major Japanese Companies

Abstract

Major historical aspects of the Japanese people reinforce their continued inclination to conform to societal norms at the cost of their own individualism. We look at this unique characteristic of their country, often referred to as a need for dependence versus the need for independence, with a historic perspective. We seek to identify these historic roots and its ramifications on the successful team-based Japanese management style. This paper examines the team concept as witnessed in (a) rice growing activities (100 BC to present); (b) religious influences, (500 BC to present); (c) the Tokugawa Period (1660-1867); and (d) the Meiji Period (1868-1911).