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

Author: Japan Economic News Editorial, Beijing Century English Translation Co., Ltd.
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-04-01
Features: Canon is a company that upholds the "roots" of Japanese-style management while continuously innovating. A senior executive from a foreign enterprise once commented on the IT revolution, saying, "The use of computers not only changes a company's operations but also 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 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 unleashed. However, this does not mean abandoning the original Japanese management methods entirely. In large and mid-tier enterprises, daily dramas unfold, and the stories mentioned in this book are carefully selected to capture 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 like "The Whole and the Part," "Top-Down and Bottom-Up," and others 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 their challenges.