Corporate Organization in Japan and the United States: Is There Evidence of Convergence?

62 Pages Posted: 28 Jun 2004

See all articles by Sanford M. Jacoby

Sanford M. Jacoby

University of California, Los Angeles

Emily M. Nason

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) - Anderson School of Management

Kazuro Saguchi

University of Tokyo - Faculty of Economics

Date Written: June 15, 2004

Abstract

We investigate the changing structure of Japanese and U.S. companies and ask whether there are signs of national convergence in corporate organization. We present three types of evidence to address this question: longitudinal data, cross-sectional survey data, and structural equation modeling (SEM). The models are ideal types of Japanese and U.S. companies and relate human-resource strategy and corporate governance to organizational outcomes such as employment practices and the role of the executive HR function. We find mixed evidence of convergence. The longitudinal data show some Japanese companies becoming more like those in the United States and the SEM results show a Japanese-style model emerging in some U.S. companies. However, there is also evidence from the survey data and from the SEM results of continuing differences in corporate governance, employment, and executive-decision making in Japan and the United States.

JEL Classification: A13, D21, G30, J41, L20, M12, P52

Suggested Citation

Jacoby, Sanford M. and Lau Nason, Emily M. and Saguchi, Kazuro, Corporate Organization in Japan and the United States: Is There Evidence of Convergence? (June 15, 2004). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=559124 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.559124

Sanford M. Jacoby (Contact Author)

University of California, Los Angeles ( email )

Los Angeles, CA 90095-1481
United States
310-2109362 (Phone)

Emily M. Lau Nason

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) - Anderson School of Management ( email )

110 Westwood Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1481
United States

Kazuro Saguchi

University of Tokyo - Faculty of Economics ( email )

7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku
Tokyo 113-0033
Japan

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