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THE BATTALION
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1981
Page 3
~“U.S. could learn from Japanese management
Manufacturing firms in this country may im-
1 |rove productivity by studying the Japanese
^ iyle of management rather than their technolo-
f. a management expert says.
Since the end of World War II, the Japanese
ive been able to build almost anything faster,
comic stiji ea p er and, lately it seems, better than Amer-
ans. One reason, suggests Dr. Don Hellreigel
NofC:Texas A&M’s management department, is the
Dorm J ipanese attention to the human aspects of life in
le Vrorkplace.
1 r j “I’m not suggesting that we adopt their man-
tlcJJdjfement philosophies because the differences in
ir cultures and values would make that diffi-
ilt,’ Hellriegel said. “But there are some im-
Jrtant lessons we could learn for improving our
auldin yianagement practices, which could result in ma-
N! I cannsfcjinprovements in the (juality of productions
cartoonist. H
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and the morale of workers.
Hellriegel said while U.S. managers tend to
highly rate value concepts of aggressiveness, in
dividuality and conflict as measures of achieve
ment, just the opposite is found for Japanese
managers.
“There are fewer severe conflicts in Japanese
society due to the underlying differences in
values,” said the management professor. “The
overriding value in Japan is ‘collectivism’ — one
that calls for mutual cooperation not only be
tween individuals but also between groups work
ing within firms towards common goals.
In contrast, the need for achievement in the
U.S. is relatively individualistic, which promotes
competition, he said. The differences in these
two values presents differences in management
processes and practices used.
“For most Japanese, the company is not only a
place of work, but a sharing and caring group. It
is a place where individuals are treated like mem
bers of a family,” the management expert said.
“Japanese employees are often proud of their
company’s success and frequently identify them
selves as members of a firm. There is an intense
sense of group loyalty and shared obligations by
Japanese workers.”
Many Japanese organizations use a general
pattern of management known as the “Nenko”
system, which emphasizes lifelong employment
with a particular firm, Hellriegel explained. An
individual who joins an organization is expected
to remain until retirement, which is normally at
55. Employers seldom fire or lay off employees,
except in extreme emergencies.
The general pattern of lifelong commitment
leads to different work incentives and provides
greater job security. This may be one of the
reasons Japanese employees are more accepting
of change, especially technological change, he
said.
“The amount of compensation and opportuni
ties for promotion are heavily based on seniority,
as many employees strongly believe that compe
tence increases automatically with seniority,”
Hellriegel said. “Performance assessments for
determining promotability give heavy weight to
criteria such as flexibility, group support and
company loyalty.”
Moreover, he said, long-term commitments to
organizations encourage long-term employee de
velopment and training.
“Japanese managers see their companies and
their employees as an extensions of their families
and employees expect them to show concern for
personal affairs,” Hellriegel said. “In America,
business relationships are depersonalized, with
emphasis on formal contracts. Employees gener
ally resent organizational intrusion into personal
affairs here.”
In Japan, group decisions are emphasized,
aimed at defining the questions needing atten
tion rather than at deciding what should be done,
he said. This process may be more time-
consuming, but implementation tends to be
quicker, since people are more convinced of the
merits of what is being done and why.
Ideas often flow from the bottom up, said Hel
lriegel, rather than just from top down.
American workers often have a what’s-in-it-
for-me attitude, which sometimes presents prob
lems in dealing with individuals, Hellriegel said.
A&M raises similar species of ‘biblical’ fish
1 ■ Texas A&M scientists are rais-
Blandjg a fish that — while it won’t
Graduated 5,000 people — holds prom-
204 Hif eas a f° oc l source for multitudes.
Tilapia, a striped, oval-bodied
p$Rhat resembles a sunfish and
fiws to about two pounds, is be-
^ ^^-Bd to be the same species
I liir 11 ^ u ’ Gospel of Matth-
l -HlW when Christ fed 5,000 follow-
rs from five loaves of bread and
vo fish.
j Also known as Saint Peter’s
jLTilapia are native to the Mid-
le East and Africa and provide a
p source of protein.
They are easy to grow, have
icellent flavor, bring a good mar-
tBrice and eat things that most
Jier fish wouldn’t touch,” said
Barnes T. Davis, a Texas A&M
jraies specialist studying the
jutritional requirements of the
ish for optimum growth.
1 Tilapia grows from marble-size
a pound in six months and
Ihes skillet-size in a Texas
Bing season. A new overwin-
Png process developed by the
s A&M researchers speeds up
lelgrowing cycle, helping to
ace Tilapia a potential major
mmercial fish-farming product
Texas.
“This industry isn’t going to de-
dop overnight,” admits Davis,
S|) also holds an appointment
1th the Texas Agricultural Exten-
, , on Service, part of the Texas
md t the &M System.
Tilapia were introduced into
Texas during the 1960s when they
rapidly established in power plant
cooling lakes and in portions of the
Rio Grande Valley. Their primary
advantage over other more con
ventional fishes is they are .ex
tremely hardy, said Davis, adding
Tilapia are the second most cul
tured group of fishes in the world
today, surpassed only by carp,
“which don’t enjoy a lot of popu
larity in some portions of the
country.”
Tilapia thrive in very hot, rich
waters that would kill most other
fishes. In Idaho, they are grown in
geothermally-heated water, David
said, and while they are pri
marily utilized for food through
out the world, they also can be
used for aquatic vegetation con
trol.
The fish grow well when cul
tured with other popular commer
cial pond fishes, such as channel
catfish and buffalo fish. At Texas
A&M, they are grown with fresh
water shrimp.
“Tilapia are much less expen
sive to raise than other commer
cial stocking fish and they can be
held under very heavy popula
tions which makes them especially
attractive for bait houses, ” he said.
In Taiwan, 1979 production
under intensely managed condi
tions netted 28,000 tons, an in
crease of300 percent over the pre
vious decade.
“They produce good gains when
fed fertilizers and crude food
stuffs,” said Davis. “Those fed
grain and protein crops readily
available in Texas are a delight to
the taste buds of gourmet chefs. ”
Tilapia can also live off organic
wastes like chicken and cow
manure, Davis added.
While fish fed manure cannot
be used for human consumption,
he explained, they make excellent
animal feed.
the
“Tilapia has to be accepted by
istriateie'buhlic, and hopefully a low
itions. Tis rod action cost will be
•sisnotafeencing factor.”
ding
PEACE
LUTHERAN
CHURCH
1100 F.M. 2818 in
College Station
Stan Sultemeier
693-4403
9:30 Study for all
10:45 Worship for all
You may enter the parking area by turning onto Southwood or
Rio Grande and coming from behind. REGISTRATIONS for Vaca
tion Bible School, July 21-29 are now being received. Please call
the office. We do have a $2.00 materials fee per student unless
there is difficulty. We have room for a number of students grades,
3-6 and a few age 3 through grade 2. Call: Come:
AGGIES!
Douglas
Jewelry
10% AGGIE DISCOUNT
ON ALL MERCHANDISE
WITH STUDENT ID
(Cash Only Please)
We reserve the right to limit
use of this privilege.
Downtown Bryan (212 IN. Plain)
and
Culpepper Plaza
BUY. jm.TAADE Oft fttNT THftOUOH THE 1
SAVE BIG BUCKS
ALL JULY!!
Yairi, Alvarez,
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Marked Down
FOR A BIQ
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LAY-A-WAYI!
KcyboARd
Center
Inc.
MANOR EAST MALL
Bryan, Texas 77801
MASTER CARD
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MSC GREAT ISSUES PRESENTS A MULTI-MEDIA SHOW
THE SPACE SHUTTLE:
Its Impact on the Future
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Monday, July 20,1981
8:00 p.m. Rudder Theatre
Admission Free