Human Resource Management in Japan: An Introduction

This textbook provides an introductory-level description of the history and current status of human resource management (HRM) in Japanese companies and its potential for future development. This textbook provides an introductory-level description of the history and current status of human resource management (HRM) in Japanese companies and its potential for future development. The book facilitates the learning of the basic mechanisms of organizational behavior, work management in organizations, and HRM systems in Japanese companies, including employment management, human resource development, evaluation, promotion, wages and benefits, and labor–management relations. In addition, the book makes available information on contemporary issues facing Japanese companies, such as globalization, diversity management, and management of the work–life balance. In general, the book offers an easy-to-understand explanation of how and why the HRM systems of Japanese companies differ from those in other Asian countries, the USA, and Europe. Readers will see that the communal HRM systems in Japanese companies is in the process of being transformed into a market-basedsystem as the momentum of global capitalism gradually permeates Japanese society. In addition, they will learn how Japanese companies are seeking to gain competitive advantage under the advance of globalization on the basis of human resources.