Cooperation in action: The Japanese
Auto Industry

Week 8, Friday

Psychology 360

Outline
I. Antecedents of cooperation
II. Some real world consequences
III. Mazda’s story
Antecedents of Cooperation
history -- legacy of post-war labor conflict
engineering -- need for flexibility
market -- small and specialized
culture -- collectivist orientation
Some Real World Consequences
team management -- quality circles
egalitarianism -- fewer status distinctions
commitment -- increased loyalty
high performance -- fewer defects and greater market share
Japanese and U.S. production
Key Points in Mazda’s Story
How does Mazda’s response to crisis compare with GM’s response?
How many cooperative practices can you identify?
What role does training play?
Could Mazda's approach work in the US?

Copyright © 1996, The Regents of the University of Michigan, All rights reserved.
Revised - November 4, 1996