Wednesday, February 4, 2009
An Example...Imitating vs. Innovating
In module 4, the example of how Japanese electronic companies were quite successful in the 1970s and 1980s in copying American technology is mentioned. By avoiding many R&D costs, the Japanese companies improved their competitive position significantly. In my Management of Innovation class we read an article, Not made in Japan, that discusses how Japan is now having issues with sustaining in the digital age. The article says that this is due mostly to the country's corporate culture as the Japanese market is disinclined to creativity and the many barriers between company divisions. To me this shows that one can only get so far with imitating and a strong long term company strategy is vital.
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Great point Hannah! The companies that come immediately to my mind are actually both Japanese companies: Sony and Nintendo. One, Nintendo, has realized this point and the importance of helping to create trends rather than continuing to rely upon older successful strategies. (Research their history, it's really fascinating!) Meanwhile, Sony has fallen from 1st to 3rd by only making incremental aesthetic changes to their product.
ReplyDeleteThanks Shane! I researched Nintendo's history and found it interesting how innovative the company really is starting from Mario and Zelda to the most recent Wii console. Nintendo has a long-term focus and is able to execute its operations effectively. It will be interesting to see which organizational direction they choose to go--appealing to a universal audience rather than a select group of gamers.
ReplyDeleteThat is a really great point Hannah. I am not sure if you have seen the movie Gung Ho by Ron Howard. And it sort of touches on that point in that yes they can do well with improving through strict guidelines, long hours, and a strong hierarchical influence but it will only take you so far. At the end of the movie the Americans and the Japanese have to find some middle ground between the two different cultures. And it is only through finding the middle ground, where creativity is allowed, will they be truly successful.
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