ISBN : 9780199297320
How did Japan fall from challenger to US hegemonic leadership in the high tech industries in the 1980s, to stumbling giant by the turn of the century? What is it doing about it? This book examines the challenges faced by Japan's high tech companies through successful emulation of some of their key practices by foreign competitors and the emergence of new competitive models linked to open innovation and modular production. High tech companies were slow to respond, relying at first on formulae which had worked in the past, but in a new environment, some of these traditional strengths had now become sources of weakness. Stability and success, moreover, had decreased their appetite for risk. Early in the new century, however, there were signs of a more concerted response, which opened up past practices to scrutiny, and modification through selective learning and adaptation of the new models. The 'MOT' (management of technology) movement provided a vehicle for this change. It was linked, in turn, to efforts to change the national innovation system, giving universities a more central role, and encouraging spin-offs and startups. The book features contributions from Japanese and Western scholars and practitioners who have distinctive insights into the nature of these challenges and responses, with substantial introductory and concluding chapters. The result is a highly accessible account of innovation, technology, and change management in the world's second largest economy.
1. Introduction
PART 1: INDUSTRIES, TECHNOLOGIES AND VALUE CHAINS
2. The Telecommunication Industry: A Turnaround in Japan's Global Presence
3. Modular Production's Impact on Japan's Electronics Industry
4. Technology Management and Competitiveness of the Japanese Semiconductor Industry
5. Global Value Chains in the Pharmaceutical Industry
6. Software's Hidden Challenges
PART 2: MOT IN AND BETWEEN ENTERPRISES
7. The Open Innovation Model: Implications for Innovation in Japan
8. Managing Creativity and Control of Knowledge Workers
9. Rethinking Innovation
10. Realizing Creative Innovation Through R&D in Japan
11. Hitachi's Nascent 'New Production(ist)' System
12. Interfirm Networks and the Management of Technology and Innovation in Japan
PART 3: TRANSFORMING JAPAN'S INNOVATION SYSTEM
13. Innovation Policy for Japan as a Front Runner
14. Security and Techno-Systems: A Comparative Analysis
15. Human Resources and Technology Management in Japanese Corporations
16. Electronic Government in Japan: Towards Harmony Between Technology Solutions and Administrative Systems
17. Conclusion