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Knowledge-driven work: unexpected lessons from Japanese and United States work practices

Ideas about the organisation of work combined with the knowledge of the workforce are emerging as the key to compet... Show more
Ideas about the organisation of work combined with the knowledge of the workforce are emerging as the key to competitive advantage in the global economy. This study explores the cross-cultural diffusion of ideas about the organisation of work with important implications for the connection between work and learning, knowledge generation, and the challenges in managing work around the world in the future. Eight Japanese affiliated manufacturing facilities operating in the United States of America (USA) are closely examined to document the flow of ideas from Japan to the USA and the emergence of a reverse spread of innovation back to Japan. The findings of the research are organised into six areas: the cross-cultural diffusion of work practices; team-based work systems; kaizen (ongoing incremental improvement) and employee involvement; employment security; human resource management; and, labour management relations. It is argued that throughout these areas of work runs 'virtual knowledge' which is defined as the critical understandings that are a function of particular combinations of people. Those organisations that have anticipated and channelled virtual knowledge are able to generate a knowledge-driven workplace and continuous improvement. Show less

Authors: Cutcher-Gershenfeld, Joel; Nitta, Michio; Barrett, Betty J.; Belhedi, Nejib ... [+] Show more

Date: 1998

Geographic subjects: North America; Asia; Japan ... [+] Show more

Resource type: Report, paper or authored book

Series name: Japan business and economics series

Subjects: Innovation; Workforce development; Research ... [+] Show more

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Knowledge-driven work: unexpected lessons from Japanese and United States work practices