Corporate Communications: A Comparison of Japanese and American Practices - Hardcover

"Falling productivity and increased competition with foreign companies have forced American managers to recognize the importance of communication in organizational life. This book, a comparative analysis of corporate communications in Japan and the United States, show's American managers how the Japanese use communications to great advantage. Ruch's book is based on a teaching assignment in Japan. In addition, he relies heavily on secondary sources, such as the publications of American companies and professional business communication organizations. . . This highly readable book provides a solid introduction to the communication practices that the Japanese have used so successfully."-Technical Communications 1987 ?Falling productivity and increased competition with foreign companies have forced American managers to recognize the importance of communication in organizational life. This book, a comparative analysis of corporate communications in Japan and the United States, show's American managers how the Japanese use communications to great advantage. Ruch's book is based on a teaching assignment in Japan. In addition, he relies heavily on secondary sources, such as the publications of American companies and professional business communication organizations. . . This highly readable book provides a solid introduction to the communication practices that the Japanese have used so successfully.?-Technical Communications 1987

William V. Ruch examines and compares corporate communications systems in the United States and Japan to discover what each can learn from the other. The author demonstrates that business organization in each country is highly reflective of the overall culture. In American corporations, communication is intended to transmit information rapidly; it is direct, efficient, and invites confrontation. Japanese corporate communciation also transmits information, but adds an element of emotional massage. In both countries business communcation is characterized by direction: American companies have strong downward systems; Japanese companies have strong upward systems. Most channels of communication used in American firms are also used in Japan, but some Japanese techniques could not and should not be used in the United States. Ruch argues that American and Japanese corporations cannot learn a great deal from one another. In fact, the only thing that Americans should learn is the value of a strong system of upward communication. The Japanese should learn that they need a faster system of decision making than the ringi system currently in use.