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Panasonic Case

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Albrena Jelks
January 28, 2015
BUSA 3145

Panasonic Case

1. Triggers of cultural change in Japan during the 1990s were that the generation born after 1964 lacked the same commitment to traditional Japanese values as their parents. They grew up in a richer world where Western ideas and traditions were embraced which resulted in them resisting values passed on from their parents. They did not want to be tied to a company for life to be a salary man, they wanted greater possibilities and freedom like the Western countries had. 2. Since the younger workers are resisting lifetime employment and are pushing for more freedom businesses probably won’t have as many consistent workers in the future like normally. Changes for the economy will be more westernized which may result in more competition and higher wages. 3. Traditional Japanese culture benefited from Panasonic from the 1950s-1960s by being provided with housing, discounts on amenities and guaranteed retirement bonuses, employees were truly cared for from the “cradle to the grave” as stated in the case in exchange for loyalty and hard work. I think that the traditional value did become more of a liability during the 1990s and early 2000s because everyone who was working was old and only getting older. When you get to a certain age you began to lack the ability to perform your job efficiently which wasn’t an issue with the younger workers who weren’t so focused on pay and the older ones who could demand a raise because of being with a company for so long. 4. With the new system recruits were offered three employment options which most didn’t take. Panasonic thought it would help position themselves better into the future by giving the company more flexibility to reduce staff and cut costs. a. If the change was made quickly it would abandon all of the loyal workers who depending on the

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