Competitiveness and the Kami Way

There is a meaningful linkage between the two concepts of competitiveness and corporate culture. Companies define the times we live in. Their outlook of the world, their modes of thinking, and their ethics reflect their own culture and the society's. In that sense, the significance of corporate culture cannot be emphasized enough. In Japan's case, as far as culture goes, the 'Kami Way' is the leading element. The Kami Way can be a foundation for the strength of a company. It is the...
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There is a meaningful linkage between the two concepts of competitiveness and corporate culture. Companies define the times we live in. Their outlook of the world, their modes of thinking, and their ethics reflect their own culture and the society's. In that sense, the significance of corporate culture cannot be emphasized enough. In Japan's case, as far as culture goes, the 'Kami Way' is the leading element. The Kami Way can be a foundation for the strength of a company. It is the secret to the success of many Japanese companies. It is not a religion, not a dogmatic philosophy, but an accumulation of human intelligence. With some formalism and rituals left out, the essence of the Kami Way can be transferred to any other country.Competitiveness and the Kami Way was written to address some of the misunderstanding often prevalent amongst policy makers, scholars and business executives when examining Japan. In order to understand a people it is generally agreed that the most crucial insights are those into the point of view, mode of thought and state of being that lie behind decision-making and courses of action. In this context it is said that such Japanese ways have been deeply influenced by Confucian thought. However, Hideo Yamashita asserts that any analysis of Japanese macro-economic policies and corporate business policies after the Second World War reveals a distinct thread of Shintoist mentality. This book presents an effort to sweep aside the current misunderstanding on Japan and submit a more realistic and correct way of understanding to those who have first hand business experience with Japanese executives, managers and customers.