This allows for greater levels of planning and cooperation, and fills in the information gap that currently exists between the factory floor and the rest of the supply chain. Lexmark provides an example of waste. Recently, the company found itself with more than $1 million in scrap from one lot. Engineers had insufficient information to isolate and fix the problem, so were instead relegated to crisis control. With more accurate

The Japanese economy stagnated since 1990: when real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew at an average of just 1.2%. Since 1995, growth was extremely slow averaging less than 0.7% on year-to-year basis." ("Banking Crisis... "5) During the last quarter of 2003, however, the GDP increased 7% (Annexure 2), the most since 1990, demonstrating growth rate of 2.7%, for the entire year. Some economists argued, however, this 2003 growth did not reflect a

Begin now creating a list of companies to complete a joint venture (JV) with. Don't go after an organic growth strategy first; it is very expensive and very much of an unknown to any western-based multinational company. Joint ventures are critical for also minimizing the amount of risk encountered when entering a new market. Creating a cultural and political series of strategies, along with the go-to-market strategy for each specific Chinese

To impress Japanese business people, the fame, power and size of the organization should be presented. Documentation regarding the organization should always be presented in Japanese. and, a business person should always be on time for meetings and be well prepared. Seating at functions, such as: meetings, dinners, and even when riding in a car has a protocol in Japan. This protocol centers around several facets including: seniority, guest-host relationship, where

Global Business Cultural Analysis: JAPANAbstractThis paper primarily examines the global business culture evaluation of Japan and its repercussions on businesses. Communication, ethics, social structure, attitude, values, and religion are some of the cultural aspects that leverage Japan's business activities. Modulation and complexity substantially typify communication in Japan. A person's way of dressing, communication, and presenting themselves significantly influence business negotiation. The Japanese ordinarily gratify communal unity and hard work to

Constructive attitudes towards work, leisure, time and change, set apart organizational models of attainment and enthusiasm, individualism as well as realization of self, and being humanistic as well as helpful that result in constructive culture that urges communications with individuals and strategies to assignments which will allow the employees to fulfill satisfaction needs of a higher plane and would bring about changes. (Aarons; Sawitzky, 2006) As opposed to this, defensive