The Return of the Dots: Unveiling Canon's Business Model

Author: Nihon Keizai Shimbun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-04-01
Features: Canon is a company that adheres to the "roots" of Japanese-style management while continuously innovating. A senior executive from a foreign company once commented on the IT revolution, saying, "The use of computers not only changes the way a company operates but also changes its organizational structure. If you do not abandon the original Japanese management methods, the effects of the IT revolution cannot be fully realized in a company." We agree with the first part of this statement, but we still have doubts about the second part. In the current information age, if a company merely places computers on desks as tools without fundamentally and thoroughly reforming its own operations and organization, the immense potential of computers cannot be fully utilized. However, this does not mean abandoning the original Japanese management methods entirely. In large and mid-tier companies, daily dramas unfold, and the stories mentioned in this book are carefully selected to highlight the essence of Canon's performances. It is difficult to document every move of a company, and some details may be omitted in these stories. However, through the layout of chapters such as "The Whole and the Part" and "Top-Down and Bottom-Up" in this book, readers can still gain a general understanding of Canon's innovative reform attitude. It is also hoped that this book can provide inspiration to companies struggling with their own issues, helping them find ways to overcome difficulties.