ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on group orientation, which emphasizes that most Japanese place maximum value on interpersonal relationships. This value on a personal, individual level is a key link to understanding how Japanese management works. For most Japanese workers nothing is so important as teamwork in the workplace. Enthusiastic employees, on their part, are now interested in seeking stimulus for developing personal career goals beyond the restrictions of long-term employment within a particular company. Sadaharu Sato, upon taking office as President of Sumitomo Kaiun, found that the company workers had not in the least been involved in company matters. The first thing that had to be done was to bring these people back on track to invite them to appear on the same dohyo. Most offices in Japan reflect an open plan, with all the desks of the department or section being arranged close together in clusters in a large room with few or no partitions.
