The embedded corporation : corporate governance and employment relations in Japan and the United States

Is there one best way to run the modern business corporation? What is the appropriate balance between shareholders, executives, and employees? These questions are being vigorously debated as layoffs, scandals, and restructurings rattle companies around the world. The common assumption is that globalization is merging the varieties of corporate capitalism. Yet, as this book shows, corporations in Japan and the United States are responding differently to the pressures unleashed by globalization. In __The Embedded Corporation__, Sanford Jacoby traces this diversity to national differences in economic history and social norms, and, paradoxically, to global competition itself. The book's vantage point for exploring the varieties of capitalism is the human resource departments of large corporations, where changes in markets and technology turn into corporate labor policies affecting millions of workers. Despite some cross-fertilization, Japanese and American corporations maintain distinctive approaches to human resource management, which has important consequences for how firms compete, for corporate governance, and even for the level of inequality in Japan and the United States. __The Embedded Corporation__ is a major contribution to our understanding of comparative management and the relationship between business, society, and the global economy. Is there one best way to run the modern business corporation? What is the appropriate balance between shareholders, executives, and employees? These questions are being vigorously debated as layoffs, scandals, and restructurings rattle companies around the world. The common assumption is that globalization is merging the varieties of corporate capitalism. Yet, as this book shows, corporations in Japan and the United States are responding differently to the pressures unleashed by globalization. In America, shareholders have emerged as dominant while employment is more transitory and market-oriented. In Japan, shareholders are gaining influence but employees still play a key role in corporate strategy and governance. In The Embedded Corporation, Sanford Jacoby traces this enduring diversity to national differences in economic history and social norms, and, paradoxically, to global competition itself.

The book's vantage point for exploring the varieties of capitalism is the headquarters of large corporations-in particular, their human resources departments, where changes in markets and technology turn into corporate labor policies affecting millions of workers. Jacoby reveals the inner workings of these departments. Despite some cross-fertilization, Japanese and American corporations maintain distinctive approaches to human resource management, with Japanese HR departments occupying a more central position within the corporation. As Jacoby shows, this has important consequences for how firms compete, for corporate governance, and even for the level of inequality in Japan and the United States. The Embedded Corporation is a major contribution to our understanding of comparative management and the relationship between business, society, and the global economy.

is There One Best Way To Run The Modern Business Corporation? What Is The Appropriate Balance Between Shareholders, Executives, And Employees? These Questions Are Being Vigorously Debated As Layoffs, Scandals, And Restructurings Rattle Companies Around The World. The Common Assumption Is That Globalization Is Merging The Varieties Of Corporate Capitalism. Yet, As This Book Shows, Corporations In Japan And The United States Are Responding Differently To The Pressures Unleashed By Globalization. In The Embedded Corporation, Sanford Jacoby Traces This Diversity To National Differences In Economic History And Social Norms, And, Paradoxically, To Global Competition Itself. The Book's Vantage Point For Exploring The Varieties Of Capitalism Is The Human Resource Departments Of Large Corporations, Where Changes In Markets And Technology Turn Into Corporate Labor Policies Affecting Millions Of Workers. Despite Some Cross-fertilization, Japanese And American Corporations Maintain Distinctive Approaches To Human Resource Management, Which Has Important Consequences For How Firms Compete, For Corporate Governance, And Even For The Level Of Inequality In Japan And The United States. The Embedded Corporation Is A Major Contribution To Our Understanding Of Comparative Management And The Relationship Between Business, Society, And The Global Economy.

john W. Budd - Journal Of Socio-economics

the Embedded Corporation Is An Insightful And Important Book. It Has Much To Offer To A Variety Of Audiences, Especially Those Who Are Concerned With How The World Works In Practice, Not Just In Idealized Theory.

In The Embedded Corporation, Sanford Jacoby traces this enduring diversity to national differences in economic history and social norms, and, paradoxically, to global competition itself. The book's vantage point for exploring the varieties of capitalism is the headquarters of large corporations - in particular, their human resource departments, where changes in markets and technology turn into corporate labor policies affecting million of workers. Jacoby reveals the inner workings of these departments. Despite some cross-fertilization, Japanese and American corporations maintain distinctive approaches to human resource management, with Japanese HR departments occupying a more central position within the corporation Traces the diversity of globalization to national differences in economic history and social norms, and, paradoxically, to global competition itself. This book enables us to understand comparative management and the relationship between business, society, and the global economy. The author traces the enduring diversity of corporate culture in Japan and the U.S. to national differences in economic history and social norms, and, paradoxically, to global competition itself DURING THE 1990s, CAPITALISM WAS ASCENDANT.