日本型流通システムの形成原理とその変容 : 風土・文化と日本型流通システム  [in Japanese] Formation of the Japanese Distribution System and its Transformation  [in Japanese]

Japanese culture has always placed the group above the individual. The needs of family, village or community take precedence over the needs of an individual. This emphasis indirectly influenced the management style of the pre-war zaibatsu. Two examples of this influence are the lifetime employment system and wage systems based on seniority. Employees were encouraged to think of themselves as members of the company family and these systems rewarded their loyalty with guaranteed jobs and salaries. The management style of the pre-war zaibatsu directly influenced the formation of the Japanese distribution system. Wholesale and retail distributors for the big conglomerates became part of the corporate family and received rewards and guaratees for their loyalty to the larger manufacuturing company. These influences on and the future of the Japanese distribution are discussed in this paper.