Small Firms in the Japanese Economy

by D. H. Whittaker

Overview

Now in paperback, this book considers the role of small firms in the Japanese economy and challenges established views of the Japanese economy, society and political economy. In contrast to Japan's giant corporations, relatively little is known about its small firms. This is so despite their vital contribution to the economy. This book looks at small firms in Japan's leading machine industries, their relations with each other as well as with large firms, and their internal management, employment and technology dynamics. It provides a unique and statistically rich survey.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521664714
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	06/24/1999
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	252
Product dimensions:	6.02(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.67(d)

Table of Contents

1. Introduction; 2. Small firms and Japan's small firm 'problem'; 3. Industrial districts; 4. Small firms and industrial districts: Ota Ward; 5. Interfirm relations 1: 'vertical'; 6. Interfirm relations 2: 'horizontal'; 7. Founders, entrepreneurship and innovation; 8. Employment, skills and technology; 9. Policy and politics; 10. A comparative view: small factories in Birmingham; 11. Sunrise or sunset for Japan's small firms?; Index.

Editorial Reviews

"This densly packed volume is a very valuable contribution to our growing, but still limited, knowledge of small manufacturing firms in Japan....Both scholars and policymakers can profit from reading this book....Whittaker's account is the most valuable analysis of small business in Japan currently available in English, complementing and going beyond David Friedman's analysis of Sakaki and providing both more depth and breadth than Penelope Franck's survey of small business development across the nation....Small Firms in the Japanese Economy is a sophisticated account which I hope will find a large audience." Mansel G. Blackford, H-NET BOOK REVIEW

"The book clearly adds to the growing literature on small business. The result of Whittaker's book is a well-written, well-supported by reliable empirical evidence, and thoroughly researched manucript on a dynamic, albeit maturing, Asian economy." Mark Goh, Journal of Asian Business

...this is a well-researched and stimulating book. It is highly recommended, not only to devotees of Japanese industrial trends, but to all those interested in Japan's modern economic and social development." Pacific Affairs

"...a useful and readable introduction to the small firms that dominate everyday life in Japan." Michael Smitka, American Journal of Sociology

From the Publisher