ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the formal structure of the management hierarchy and the union works council interest representative structure in Japanese and German plants. It looks at the patterns of communication regarding typical processes of handling standard manpower issues in the day-to-day practice in these plants. In Japan the foreman is clearly the most important person in day-to-day production and manpower deployment. This holds true for the formal description as well as the actual situation. The German Meister seems to be located somewhere between the foreman and the general foreman in the Japanese case. The Meister seems to have a position comparable to that of the Japanese foreman. In the Japanese case, the management channels down to the foreman are regarded as quicker and more effective. The union president stressed that there is parallel and synchronised information processing down to the shop floor by both the management and the union.
