Japan, corporate organizational reform and the global financial crisis: The case of Shinsei Bank

Chie Yorozu, Leo McCann*, John Hassard, Jonathan Morris

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Japanese firms are renowned for being change-averse, even after financial crises. On the basis of a case study of Shinsei Bank, a highly symbolic example of radical attempted change, this paper explores the difficulties of reconciling two very different socio-economic models-Japanese and American. An interview-based study of current and former Shinsei bankers suggests that Japan's 'refusal to change' is more to do with understandable employee reactions rather than a problematic strategic 'dysfunction'. While perhaps an extreme example, the Shinsei case highlights how difficult it is to see beyond a scenario of measured and evolutionary change in Japan after the global financial crisis.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)200-216
Number of pages17
JournalAsia Pacific Business Review
Volume19
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2013

Keywords

  • financialization
  • global financial crisis
  • Japan
  • restructuring
  • Shinsei Bank

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