Changes in Japanese Employment Practices

by Arjan Keizer

• ISBN13: 9780203865866
• ISBN10: 0203865863
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2010-01-21
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Summary

Japan'¬"s employment practices were long considered a cornerstone to its economic success. However, the reversal in economic performance during the 1990s altered the positive perception and inspired major adaptations like the rise in performance-related pay ('¬Üseikashugi'¬") and non-regular employment. This book presents case-studies of the adaptations in personnel management by major Japanese firms. It highlights the diversity, the stability and the considerations behind the adaptations that are implemented by these firms. Drawing on insights from institutional theory, it shows how factors such as legitimacy and institutional interlock have guaranteed an important continuity in employment practices. It discusses how the adaptations have not actually replaced the existing practices but have been shaped by them and, as a consequence, the result may not be as revolutionary as once expected but is likely to last. Furthermore, it argues that the employment practices remain specifically Japanese and that expectations of convergence have so far proved misplaced. Overall, this book is a valuable contribution to the study of employment issues. It provides an effective framework to analyse the ongoing developments in Japanese employment practices and demonstrates that Japanese developments continue to offer important insights for human resource management and labour market institutionalisation in general.

Table of Contents

Reconsidering Japanese Employment Practices

The Dialectics of Change

The Logic of Japanese Employment Practices

Adjustment of Employment and Employment Practices

The Automobile Industry

The Electronics Industry

The Construction Industry

The Retail Industry

Seikashugi: Change within the Internal Labour Market

Non-Regular Employment: Change beyond the Internal Labour Market

Institutional Change in Japanese Employment Practices

References

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