ABSTRACT
The TV-setmaker market has seen a substantial restructuring. At the beginning of the 1970s, Sony established a TV-set manufacturing unit in South Wales, and over the intervening period, some major TV plants have been established by other Japanese setmakers. Sales have expanded the rate of expansion of the total market, with Japanese setmakers becoming major customers for the Mullard Company. The mechanism for reaching a decision and implementing an agreed action is fundamentally different between European and Japanese cultures. Mullard, with experience of chassis designs in Europe, was able to offer total design concepts, but this was an unusual role for Japanese component suppliers. Constant improvement in everything achieved is one requirement for a Japanese supplier: Both products and service must show continual improvement. A good relationship between individuals is most important in Japanese business, and every effort is made to encourage fellow workers.
