Question

Read the article “Why supervisors resist employee involvement” by J.A. Klein. In your opinion, Why do you think American managers are not as successful motivating and involving employees as the Japanese managers are?

Answer 1

The reason why American managers are not as successful in motivating and involving employees as the Japanese managers are as follows-

1. Sometimes they understand that employee involvement is beneficial for the company, but they are not able to understand the benefits for them.
2. They follow carrot and Stick approach to motivate the employee. They feel that only materialistic needs motivate the employees, but Japanese managers understand the materialistic as well as psychological needs as well.
3. In Japanese firms, there is strong support system and better team work in the firm which boosts the morale of the employees.
4. American firms follow hire and fire strategies as per the performance criteria whereas the job security is there in Japanese firms.
5. The top management in American firms are lesser tolerant to dissent from down the line management and employees whereas the Japanese management are open to criticism and suggestion from the employees.

Because of the above reasons, the American employees feel detached from the workplace and see the jobs only essential for the material well-being whereas in Japanese firms, the employees are morally motivated and involved in the job in a better way.