Publications

June 2005
Case

Transformation of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. 2005 (A)

By: Michael Y. Yoshino and Yukihiko Endo

The company, once an outstanding Japan-based global leader in electronics and major appliances, suffered poor performance during the 1990s. Kunio Nakamura became CEO in 2001 and sought to transform the company in a fundamental way. Examines the company's history,... View Details

Keywords: Transformation; Business History; Leading Change; Management Systems; Organizational Change and Adaptation; Organizational Culture; Performance Improvement; Electronics Industry; Japan

April 2005 (Revised June 2006)
Case

NTT DoCoMo, Inc.: Mobile FeliCa

By: Stephen P. Bradley, Thomas R. Eisenmann, Masako Egawa and Akiko Kanno

Managers of DoCoMo, Japan's largest mobile phone company, are formulating a strategy for mobile FeliCa: contactless integrated circuits that will be built into DoCoMo phones, allowing them to be used for quick and convenient retail or commuter fare payments, building... View Details

Keywords: Cost vs Benefits; Expansion; Alliances; Wireless Technology; Information Technology Industry; Communications Industry; Japan

January 2004 (Revised August 2005)
Case

Kikkoman Corporation: Consumer Focused Innovation

By: Rohit Deshpande and Hal Hogan

In May 2003, the president and CEO of Kikkoman Corp. sat in his Tokyo office weighing various options for strengthening the company's long-term growth. Kikkoman was the world's largest producer of soy sauce, largely due to its pioneering role since the 1950s as the... View Details

Keywords: Customer Relationship Management; Innovation Strategy; Marketing Strategy; Product Positioning; Adaptation; Competitive Strategy; Japan

November 2003
Supplement

P&G Japan: The SK-II Globalization Project

By: Christopher A. Bartlett

Paolo de Cesare and A.G. Lafley review the strategic and organizational challenges they face in deciding whether to make the prestigious Japanese beauty product, SK-II, a global brand. In a three-part videotaped interview, they discuss the challenges, reveal the... View Details

Keywords: Globalization; Brands and Branding; Organizational Structure; Strategy; Decision Choices and Conditions; Beauty and Cosmetics Industry; Consumer Products Industry; Japan

May 2003 (Revised January 2006)
Teaching Note

NTT DoCoMo: Marketing i-mode (TN)

By: Youngme E. Moon

Teaching Note for (9-502-031). View Details

Keywords: Telecommunications Industry; Japan

August 2001
Teaching Note

New Business Investment Company: October 1997 TN

By: G. Felda Hardymon, Josh Lerner and Ann Leamon

Teaching Note for (9-299-025). View Details

Keywords: Japan

August 2001 (Revised October 2001)
Case

Shinsei Bank (C)

By: Michael Y. Yoshino and Perry Fagan

Supplements the (A) case. View Details

Keywords: Banking Industry; Japan

September 2000
Case

Japanese Financial Crisis and the Long-Term Credit Bank of Japan, The

By: Malcolm S. Salter and Andrew Eggers

Illustrates the failure of Japan's banking elite to adjust to new economic conditions. View Details

Keywords: Financial Crisis; Banks and Banking; Behavior; Japan

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July 1998 (Revised April 2000)
Teaching Note

Japan: "Free, Fair, and Global?" TN

By: Richard H.K. Vietor

Teaching Note for (9-798-083). View Details

Keywords: Japan

January 1985
Background Note

Winter Age of the Japanese Steel Industry

By: Kim B. Clark

Describes the situation facing the Japanese steel industry in 1984. Two strategies for coping with the world steel situation are presented: diversification and globalization. The actions of Nippon Steel and Nippon Kokan are used to illustrate these strategies. View Details

Keywords: Globalization; Situation or Environment; Business Strategy; Diversification; Steel Industry; Japan

October 1996 (Revised January 1998)
Case

Sony Corporation: Car Navigation Systems

By: John A. Quelch

In the summer of 1996, Masao Morita, president of Sony Personal Mobile Communication Co., contemplated how to formulate its multinational marketing strategy for the fast-changing car navigation systems market. Morita needed to resolve the conflicting views within his... View Details

Keywords: Geographic Location; Marketing Strategy; Product Launch; Standards; Mobile and Wireless Technology; Conflict and Resolution; Auto Industry; Electronics Industry; Japan

October 1993
Case

Zen-Noh: ""I Love Gyu (Beef)""--New Challenges for the Beef Business

By: Ray A. Goldberg

Keywords: Agribusiness; Cooperative Ownership; Trade; Agriculture and Agribusiness Industry; Japan

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June 1989 (Revised July 1994)
Case

Ito Yokado

By: Walter J. Salmon

Describes the means by which management has empowered the sales clerks and part time employees of this chain of 131 department stores. They are responsible for all sales and inventory management. This empowerment has led to fewer stockouts, higher sales, lower... View Details

Keywords: Innovation and Management; Management; Distribution; Supply Chain Management; Sales; Japan

June 1995 (Revised May 1996)
Teaching Note

Manville Corporation Fiber Glass Group Series TN

By: Lynn S. Paine and Charles A Nichols, III

Teaching Note for (9-394-117), (9-394-118), (9-394-116), and (9-395-243). View Details

Keywords: Japan

February 1989 (Revised October 1994)
Case

Asahi Breweries Ltd.

By: Malcolm S. Salter

Focuses on competitive repositioning, organizational renewal, and personal leadership. Describes how Asahi Breweries was faced with a major capacity expansion decision after succeeding in increasing market share dramatically in the traditionally stable Japanese beer... View Details

Keywords: Competitive Strategy; Expansion; Leadership; Organizational Structure; Product Launch; Management Teams; Business or Company Management; Marketing Strategy; Supply Chain Management; Mission and Purpose; Food and Beverage Industry; Japan

1993
Chapter

Japanese Corporate Governance: Source of Efficiency or Restraint of Trade?

By: W. C. Kester

Keywords: Corporate Governance; Performance Efficiency; Japan