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Confucian ethics and Japanese management practices

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Abstract

This paper proposes that an important method for understanding the ethics of Japanese management is the systematic study of its Confucian traditions and the writings of Confucius. Inconsistencies and dysfunction in Japanese ethical and managerial behavior can be attributed to contradictions in Confucius' writings and inconsistencies between the Confucian code and modern realities. Attention needs to be directed to modern Confucian philosophy since, historically Confucian thought has been an early warning system for impending change.

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Dr. Marc J. Dollinger is an Assistant Professor of Management at Indiana University. He received his Ph.D. from Lehigh University in 1983. His current research is focused on the strategic management of small firms and entrepreneurship

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Dollinger, M.J. Confucian ethics and Japanese management practices. J Bus Ethics 7, 575–584 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00382789

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