A Comparison of the U.S. and Japan Labor-Management Models

• Project/Area Number: 03045046
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for international Scientific Research
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: University-to-University Cooperative Research
• Research Institution: Doshisha University
• Principal Investigator: SHINOHARA Soichi Doshisha University, Faculty of Economics, Professor, 経済学部, 教授 (30121594)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): MICHAEL Reic カリフォルニア大学バークレー校, 労使関係研究所, 教授 ; DAVID STERN カリフォルニア大学バークレー校, 労使関係研究所, 教授 ; CLAIR BROWN カリフォルニア大学バークレー校, 労使関係研究所, 教授 ; NAKATA Yoshifumi Doshisha University, Faculty of Letters, Associate Professor, 文学部, 助教授 (50207809) ; NAKAO Takeo Doshisha University, Faculty of Economics, Professor, 経済学部, 教授 (10065865) ; ISHIDA Mitsuo Doshisha University, Faculty of Letters, Professor, 文学部, 教授 (40121587) ; KAGAWA Kozo Doshisha University, Faculty of Letters, Professor, 文学部, 教授 (20019087) ; TAKENAKA Masao Doshisha University, Faculty of Theology, Professor, 神学部, 教授 (60066074) ; REICH Michael University of California, Institute of Industrial Relations, Professor ; STERN David University of California, Institute of Industrial Relations, Professor ; BROWN Clair University of California, Institute of Industrial Relations, Professor ; STERN David カリフォルニア大学, バークレー校・労使関係研究所, 教授 ; REICH Michae カリフォルニア大学, バークレー校・労使関係研究所, 教授 ; BROWN Clair カリフォルニア大学, バークレー校・労使関係研究所, 助教授
• Project Period (FY): 1991 – 1992
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 1992)
• Budget Amount: ¥3,200,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,200,000); Fiscal Year 1992: ¥1,400,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,400,000); Fiscal Year 1991: ¥1,800,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,800,000)
• Keywords: Industrial Relations / Joint Company between America and Japan / Collective Agreement / Seniority / Collective Bargaining / Joint Consultation Committee / Grievance Procedure / American Automobile Industry / 苦情処理手続

Research Abstract

QC activity is held at the surveyed companies in America. But we find that there is no incentive system to promote QC activity in American company and joint company between America and Japan. In America the same wages are paid to the same Job though an individual employee would harder and efficiently. Because personnel evaluation system is not applied to American blue-collar workers. on the other hands personnel evaluation system is applied to Japanese blue-collar workers. This is an incentive system to promote QC activity and to work harder.In Japan kaizen activity is conducted to level up the quality of productions and also to reduce work-force required for the jobs. But in Ameica Kaizen aims to only level up the quality of productions. Because American workers are afraid of lay-off. In Japan long-time employment system makes weak the opposition to personnel cut.
2. In America grievance procedure is thought to be a part of collective bargaining. Therefore there is no joint consultation system to solve individual complaints and problems on interpretation and application of collective agreement. But we find that this is wrong in case of American automobile industry. Formally or informally many problems including complaints are discussed at the joint committee. This takes preventive measures against employees' complaints. But we find that many cases are submited to grievance procedure and arbitration as compared with Japan.
3. We find it important to understand the structure of seniority system. But in America the research on actual conditions is not conducted. Next time we want to research on this theme.

Research Products

• [Publications] 竹中 正夫: "Affinity Between Abstract and Asian Art" Image. 54号. 2-6 (1993)
  • Description: 「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
• [Publications] 香川 孝三: "アメリカ企業,アメリカ日系企業,日本企業における苦情・仲裁手続の比較研究" 同志社アメリカ研究. 29. 15-25 (1993)
  • Description: 「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
• [Publications] 石田 光男: "あるアメリカ進出日系自動車工場の労使紛争" 国際産研. 7号. (1993)
  • Description: 「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
• [Publications] 中尾 武雄: "アメリカにおける産業間賃金格差の研究" 同志社アメリカ研究. 28. 73-83 (1992)
  • Description: 「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
• [Publications] 石田光男・仁田道夫編: "労史関係の比較研究-欧米諸国と日本-" 東京大学出版会, 218 (1993)
  • Description: 「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
• [Publications] Masao, Takenaka: "Affinity Between Abstract and Asian Art" Image. 54. 2-6 (1993)
  • Description: 「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
• [Publications] Kozo, Kagawa: "Comparative study on Grievance Procedure and Voluntary Arbitration among American Company, America-Japan Joint Company and Japanese Company" Doshisha American Studies. 29. 15-25 (1993)
  • Description: 「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
• [Publications] Mitsuo, Ishida: "Industrial Conflict in a joint motor company between America and Japan" International Industrial Relations Journal. 7. (1993)
  • Description: 「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
• [Publications] Takeo, Nakao: "Wage Differentials in American Industries ; A Survey of Recent Literature" Doshisha American Studies. 28. 73-83 (1992)
  • Description: 「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
• [Publications] Mitsuo, Ishida and Michio, Nitta co-ed.: Tokyo University Press. International Comparison of Industrial Relations, 41-69 (1993)
  • Description: 「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
• [Publications] 香川 孝三: "あるアメリカ日系自動車工場での労働協約の改正内容" 同志社アメリカ研究. 28号. (1992)
• [Publications] 石田 光男,井上 雅男,上井 喜彦,仁田 道夫 共編: "労使関係の比較研究ー欧米諸国と日本ー" 東京大学出版会, 1-320 (1992)