Management of Technology and Innovation in Japan

Preface and Introduction

Table of Contents

List of Contributing Authors

Part I: Strategic Aspects

Designing the Product Architecture for High Appropriability: The Case of Canon --- Kiyonori Sakakibara and Yoichi Matsumoto

The Issue of Appropriability

Characteristics of the Business Performance of Canon

Cartridge Technology that Sustains Copier’s High Profitability

Analysis of the Ink Jet Printer Business in Japan

Concluding Remarks

Appendix 1: The List of Product Specifications

Appendix 2: The Icons’ List of Exchange Cartridge

References

Case Study Shimano: Market Creation Through Component Integration --- Akira Takeishi and Yaichi Aoshima

Introduction

Outline and History of Shimano Bicycle Component Business

Shimano’s Position in Bicycle Parts – “The Intel of the Bicycle Industry&rdquo

History

History of Product Innovation

Shimano’s Strategy: Creating Markets Through Component Integration

Production Technology and Market Creation

Conclusion: Searching for New Growth Opportunities

Invisible Dimensions of Innovation: Strategy for De-commoditization in the Japanese Electronics Industry --- Ken Kusunoki

Digitization, Modularization, and Commoditization

Visibility of Innovation Dimension and Its Dynamics

Limits of Visible Innovations

Invisible Innovations: An Alternative Strategy

The Visibility Trap

Seeing and Showing Invisible Dimensions

Conclusions

The Customer System and New Product Development: The Material Supplier's Strategy in Japan --- Junichi Tomita and Takahiro Fujimoto

Introduction

Customer System

Case Study – Development of LUMIFLON at AGC

Management of Customer System

References

Part II: Process Aspects

The Japanese Know-Who Based Model of Innovation Management – Reducing Risk at High Speed --- Sigvald J. Harryson

From Time-Based Competition to Time-Based Innovation

Introducing a Know-Who Based Approach to Networking

Canon’s Know-Who Based Approach to Commercializing a Disruptive Display Technology

Analyzing the Canon Case with Further Illustrations of Know-Who Based K&I Management

References

The Domestic Shaping of Japanese Innovations --- Marian Beise

Introduction

Conclusions

References

Exploiting “Interface Capabilities” in Overseas Markets: Lessons from Japanese Mobile Phone Handset Manufacturers in the US --- Masanori Yasumoto and Takahiro Fujimoto

Introduction

Background

Distinction Between Interface Capabilities and Relational Knowledge

Overview of Japanese Mobile Phone Manufacturers

Handset Development Strategy of Japanese Manufacturers

Japanese Mobile Phone Manufacturers in the US

Sanyo

Discussion

Conclusion

Acknowledgement

References

“Fuzzy Front End” Practices in Innovating Japanese Companies --- Cornelius Herstatt, Birgit Verworn, Christoph Stockstrom, Akio Nagahira, and Osamu Takahashi

Introduction

Study

Results

Comparing Successful and Unsuccessful Companies

Conclusions

References

Implementing Process Innovation – The Case of the Toyota Production System --- René Haak

Introduction

Technology and Knowledge Transfer

The Company: A Whole System

Tools for Solving Problems

Kaizen – Core of Toyota Production System and Embodiment of Organizational Learning

References

Part III: Organizational Aspects

Reorientation in Product Development for Multiproject Management: The Toyota Case --- Kentaro Nobeoka

Introduction

Multi-project Management: Framework

Traditional Shusa Organization at Toyota

Organizational Problems

Change in the Competitive Environment

Establishment of Development Centers

Reduction of Functional Engineering Divisions

Reduction of the Number of Projects for Each Functional Manager

Roles of the Center Head for Multiple Vehicle Projects

Establishment of Planning Divisions in Each Center

Hierarchical Organization of Chief Engineers

Roles of Center 4

Outcomes of the Organizational Changes

Project Integration Through Streamlined Structure

Multi-Project Integration Within a Center

Potential Problems of the Center Organization

Discussion and Conclusion

References

Suppliers’ Involvement in New Product Development in the Japanese Auto Industry – A Case Study from a Product Architecture Perspective --- Dongsheng Ge and Takahiro Fujimoto

Introduction

Architectural Attributes of Auto Parts

Case Study on Pattern Choices of Suppliers’ Involvement into New Product Development

Discussion

Conclusion

References

NPD-Process and Planning in Japanese Engineering Companies – Findings from an Interview Research --- Cornelius Herstatt, Christoph Stockstrom, and Akio Nagahira

Introduction

The Study

NPD Project Processes

General Planning Activities in NPD

Project-Related Planning

Changes

Project Management

Conclusions

References

Part IV: Cultural Aspects

Japanese New Product Advantage: A Comparative Examination --- Cheryl Nakata and Subin Im

Introduction

Conceptual Model

Research Hypotheses

Methodology

Measures

Model Estimation and Results

Main Findings

Discussion

Managerial Implications

Limitations and Research Implications

Appendix: Measurement Items and Coefficient Alphas (Japan/Korea)

References

Differences in the Internationalization of Industrial R&D in the Triad --- Guido Reger

Introduction

Methodology

International Generation of Research and Technology

Conclusions

Acknowledgment

References

Global Innovation and Knowledge Flows in Japanese and European Corporations --- Alexander Gerybadze

Global Innovation and Changing Patterns of Knowledge Production

Downstream Innovation and New Sources of Knowledge

Home-Base Augmenting vs. Home-Base Exploiting R&D Strategies

Engineering Innovation and Knowledge Flows Within MNCs

Lead-Market Innovation and Knowledge Flows Within MNCs

Appropriate Mechanisms of Transnational Knowledge Flows: Comparing European and Japanese MNCs

References

Reducing Project Related Uncertainty in the “Fuzzy Front End” of Innovation – A Comparison of German and Japanese Product Innovation Projects --- Cornelius Herstatt, Birgit Verworn, and Akio Nagahira

Introduction

Study

Results

Conclusions

Appendix: List of Projects

References

Part V: Implementational Aspects

From Practice: IP Management in Japanese Companies --- Yonoshin Mori

Rapidly Changing IP Management Environment

Objective of IP Management

Leading Examples of IP Management at Individual Companies

Theory for IP Organizational Ability

Hot IP Topics Now Faced by Japanese Companies

MoT: From Academia to Management Practice – The MoT Implementation Case in a Traditional Japanese Company --- Gaston Trauffler and Hugo Tschirky

Introduction

The Initial Position

Creating Transparency

Forming Strategically Manageable Technology Entities

Designing a Holistic and Integrated MoT Process

Designing Organizational Company Structures

Customizing the Process and Accelerating Its Implementation

Summary and Conclusion

References

Index