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The intricacies of training and development in Japan
Author(s) -
Lindberg Karen J.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
human resource development quarterly
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.756
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1532-1096
pISSN - 1044-8004
DOI - 10.1002/hrdq.3920020203
Subject(s) - excellence , ideology , perspective (graphical) , government (linguistics) , training (meteorology) , productivity , work (physics) , human resources , service (business) , training and development , sociology , political science , public relations , management , economic growth , business , marketing , engineering , economics , politics , computer science , law , mechanical engineering , linguistics , philosophy , artificial intelligence , meteorology , physics
In an attempt to uncover the “secrets” of Japanese training and development, the author discovered that Japan's approach to training has historically been influenced by human resource development systems modeled in the West. To account for differences in Japanese and Western work force productivity, the author identifies several cultural constructs that shape learning and work behaviors in Japanese organizations. These constructs include ideologies, educational systems, government policy, economic systems, and employment practices. The author concludes that Japanese training and development cannot be defined solely by technique; it is intricately related to ideologies and philosophies espoused by the culture in which it is implemented. Though these constructs may also serve as barriers to training, the purpose of this article is to show, from a historical perspective, how they have helped Japanese organizations achieve excellence in manufacturing and service.