Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Organizational and environmental effects on innovation: A comparison of two countries

  • Articles
  • Published:
Asia Pacific Journal of Management Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Significant changes in science and technology are the result of a complex interaction of environmental and organizational factors which are further contingent upon situational factors that may be culture specific. Numerous authors maintain that there are significant differences between Japanese and American organizations. These differences, it is proposed affect the innovativeness of organizations in both countries. The United States can be considered the leading innovator among industrialized nations as measured by its net exports of knowledge-intensive goods. However, the R & D trade balance, reflecting US export strength in technology-based manufactured goods, although increasing from 1960, has recently declined, while Japan has continued to increase its share of high-technology products. In this article factors are identified that affect the process of innovation within organizations and US and Japanese organizations are analyzed to clarify the contributing and inhibiting factors. Suggestions for improving the innovative climate within each country are offered.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abe, H., Inose H., Nishikawa T., Shino K., and Tezuka A., ‘Policies and Practices of Government Support for the Basic and Applied Science’. In Gerstenfeld, A. (Ed.),Science Policy Perspectives: U.S.A. — Japan. New York: Academio Press, 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ayres, R.U.,The Next Industrial Revolution. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Ballinger Publishing Company, 1984.

    Google Scholar 

  • Azumi, K., Hull, F. and Hage, J., ‘Managing High Technology in an International Perspective: A Comparison Between Japan and the United States’. In Mannari, H. and Befu, H. (Eds.),The Challenge of Japan's Internationalization: Organization and Culture. Tokyo: Kodansha International, 1983: pp. 111–147.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burns, T., and Stalker G.M.,The Management of Innovation. London: Tavistock Publications, 1961.

    Google Scholar 

  • Butler, R.J., ‘Innovation in Organizations: Appropriateness of Perspectives from small Group Studies for Strategy Formulation,’Human Relations, Vol. 36, No. 9, 1981: pp. 763–788.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheng, J.L.C. and McKinley, W., ‘Toward an Integration of Organization Research and Practice: A Contingency Study of Bureaucratic Control and Performance in Scientific Settings,’Administrative Science Quarterly, Vol. 28, 1983: pp. 85–100.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cosier, R.A., ‘Dialectical Inquiry in Strategic Planning: A Case of Premature Acceptance,’Academy of Management Review, Vol. 6, No. 4, 1981: pp. 643–648.

    Google Scholar 

  • Daft, R.I., ‘A Dual-Core Model of Organization Innovation,’Academy of Management Journal, Vol. 21, No. 1, 1978: pp. 193–210.

    Google Scholar 

  • Daft, R.L. and McIntosh N.M., ‘A Tentative Exploration into the Amount and Equivocality of Information Processing in Organizational Work Units,’Administrative Science Quarterly, Vol. 26, 1981: pp. 207–224.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davidson, W.H.,The Amazing Race. New York: John Wiley and Sons, 1984.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eads, G.C., ‘Regulation and Technical Change: Some Largely Unexplored Influences,’American Economic Review, Vol. 70, No. 2, 1980: pp. 50–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eto, H., ‘Behaviour of Japanese and R & D Organizations — Conflict and Its Resolution by Informal Mechanisms’. In Eto, H. and Matsumi, K. (Eds.),R & D Management Systems in Japanese Industry. Amsterdam: Elsevier, 1984: pp. 139–238.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eto, H. and Matsumi K. (Eds.),R & D Management Systems in Japanese Industry. Amsterdam: Elsevier Science Publishers, 1984.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ettlie, J. E., ‘The Impact of Inter-organizational Manpower Flows on the Innovation Process.’Abstracts of Papers, AAAS National Meeting, May 24–29, 1984: pp. 91.

  • Evenson, R.E., ‘International Invention: Implications for Technology Market Analysis’. In Griliches, A. (Ed.),R & D, Patents and Productivity, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1984: pp. 89–123.

    Google Scholar 

  • Flynn, D.M., ‘Effective Planning in International Environments: The Importance of Computer Based Information Systems,’Paper Presentation, Academy of Management National Meeting, 14 August 1984, 1984a: pp. 1–16.

  • --, ‘Innovations within Organizations: A Synthesis.’Proceedings, Eastern Academy of Management, 1984, 1984b: pp. 106–109.

  • --, ‘Uncertainty and Planning in International Markets: A Review and Conceptualizations,’Paper Presentation, Academy of International Business, December 1983, 1983a: pp. 1–12.

  • --, ‘Japanese Organizations: Value Consistency, Structure and Innovation,’Paper Presentation, Japan United States Business Conference, Tokyo, 5 April 1983, 1983b: pp. 1–11.

  • Flynn, D.M. and Affisco J.F., ‘The Effects of Uncertainty on the Compliance Decision in the Chemical Industry: A Conceptualization,’Northeast AIDS Proceedings. 1983: pp. 147–149.

  • Galbraith, J.R.,Designing Complex Organizations. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley, 1973.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gerstenfeld, A. (Ed.),Science Policy Perspectives: USA-Japan. New York: Academic Press. 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gerstenfeld, A. and K. Sumiyoshi, ‘The Management of Innovation in Japan — Seven Forces that Make the Difference,’Research Management, January 1980: pp. 30–35.

  • Hofstede, G.,Culture Consequences. Beverly Hills Ca.: Sage Publishers, 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huber, G., ‘The Nature and Design of Post-Industrial Organizations,’Management Science, Vol. 30, No. 8, 1984: pp. 928–951.

    Google Scholar 

  • James, L.R., and Jones A.P., ‘Organizational Climate: A Review of Theory and Research,’Psychological Bulletin, Vol. 81, No. 12, 1974: pp. 1096–1112.

    Google Scholar 

  • Japan Information Processing Development Center,Micro-Computer Industry. Tokyo: Nichigai Associates, 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  • Joglekar, P. and Humburg, M., ‘An Evaluation of Federal Policy Instruments to Stimulate Basic Research in Industry,’Management Science, Vol. 29, No. 9, 1983a: pp. 997–1015

    Google Scholar 

  • —— ‘An Evaluation of Federal Policies Concerning Joint Ventures for Applied Research and Development,’Management Science, Vol. 19, No. 19, 1983b: pp. 1016–1026.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, C.,MITI and the Japanese Miracle. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kimberly, J.R. and Evanisko M.J., ‘Organizational Innovation: The Influence of Individual, Organizational and Contextual Factors on Hospital Adoption of Technological Administrative Innovations,’Academy of Management Journal, Vol. 24, No. 4, 1981: pp. 689–713.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kogane, T., Nonaka I., Okumura A., Sakakibara K., Komatsu Y. and Sakashita A., ‘Mechanistic vs. Organic Management Systems: A Comparative Study of Adaptive Patterns of American and Japanese Firms’. In Sato, K. and Hoshino, Y. (Eds.),The Anatomy of Japanese Business. Armonk, N.Y.: M.E. Sharpe, 1984: pp. 27–69.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kobrin, S.J., Basek J., Blanks S., and La Palombra L., ‘The Assessment and Evaluation of Noneconomic Environments by American Firms: A Preliminary Report.’Journal of International Business Studies, Vol. II, 1980: pp. 32–47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuhn, T.S.,The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1970.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lodahl, J.B. and Gordon G., ‘The Structure of Scientific Fields and the Functioning of University Graduate Deparments.’American Sociological Review, Vol. 37, 1972: pp. 57–62.

    Google Scholar 

  • Magaziner, I.C. and Reich R.B.,Minding America's Business. New York: Random House, 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mansfield, E., ‘R & D and Innovation: Some Empirical Findings,’ In Griliches, Z, (Ed.),R & D, Patents, and Productivity. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1984: pp. 127–148.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mansfield, E.,Economics. New York: Norton, 1983.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marcus, A.A., ‘Policy Uncertainty and Technological Innovation,’Academy of Management Review, Vol. 6, No. 3, 1981: pp. 443–448.

    Google Scholar 

  • Masuda, Y., ‘The Information Society: An Application of the Pattern Model to Industrial Society,’ In Kogane, Y. (Ed),Changing Value Patterns and their Impact on Economic Structure. Tokyo: University of Tokyo Press, 1982: pp. 173–183.

    Google Scholar 

  • McDonough, E.F. and Leifer R., ‘Using Simultaneous Structure to Cope With Uncertainty,’Academy of Management Journal, Vol. 26, No. 4, 1982: pp. 7–735.

    Google Scholar 

  • McKinsey & Co.,Japan Business Obstascles and Opportunities. Tokyo: President, 1983.

  • Meadows, I.S., ‘Organic Structure and Innovation in Small Groups,’Human Relations, Vol. 33, No. 6, 1980: pp. 369–382.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitroff, I.I., Barbara V. and Kilman R., ‘The Application of Behavioural and Philosophical Technologies to Strategic Planning: A Case of a Large Federal Agency,’Management Science, Vol. 24, No. 1, 1977: pp. 44–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moritani, M.,Japanese Technology. Tokyo: Simul Press, 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mowery, D.C. and Rosenberg, N., ‘The Influence of Market Demand Upon Innovation’. In Rosenberg, N. (Ed.),Inside the Black Box. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1982: pp. 193–241.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Research Council,International Competition in Advanced Technology: Decisions for America. Washington: National Academy Press, 1983.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nelson, R.R. and Langlois. R.N., ‘Industrial Innovation Policy:Lessons from American History,Science, 1983: pp. 814–818.

  • Okimoto, D.I., Sugano T., and Weinstein F.B. (Eds.),Competitive Edge. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 1984.

    Google Scholar 

  • Perkins, D.M.,The Mind's Best Work. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press, 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pierce, J.L. and Delbecq A.L., ‘Organization Structure, Individual Attitudes and Innovation,’Academy of Management Review, Vol. 2, 1977: pp. 27–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reichel, A. and Flynn, D.M., ‘Values in Transition: Japanese Managers in the U.S.,’Management International Review, Vol. 23, No. 4, 1983: pp. 63–72.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robertson, T.S. and Wind, Y., ‘Organizational Cosmopolitanism and Innovativeness,’Academy of Asia Pacific Journal of Management, May 1985

  • Rosenberg, N.,Inside the Black Box: Technology and Economics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sato, K. and Hoshino, Y.,The Anatomy of Japanese Business. Armonk, N.Y.: M.E. Sharpe, undated.

  • Sato, R. and Suzawa G.Z.,Research and Productivity. Boston: Auburn House, 1983.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schlossstein, S.,Trade War. New York: Congdon and Weed, 1984.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sethi, S.P., Namiki, N., and Swanson C.L.,The False Promise of the Japanese Miracle. Boston: Pitman, 1984.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shibata, Y., ‘Toward a Policy Guidance System for Complex Innovation,’ In Eto, H. and Matsui, K. (Eds.),R & D Management Systems in Japanese Industry. Amsterdam: Elsevier, 1984: pp. 29–57.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shinohara, M.,Industrial Growth, Trade and Dynamic Patterns in the Japanese Economy. Tokyo: University of Tokyo Press, 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shishido, T., ‘Japanese Industrial Development and Policies for Science and Technology’,Science, 1983: pp. 219 and 259–264.

  • Sprague, R.H. and Carlson E.D.,Building Effective Decision Support Systems. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice Hall, 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tsuruta, T., ‘Japan's Industrial Policy,’ Paper presentation,Effective Business Management: Lessons from Japan. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 18 November 1982: pp. 1–46.

  • Tushman, M. and Nadler, D., ‘Information Processing as an Integrating Concept in Organization Design’,Academy of Management Review Vol. 3, 1978: pp. 613–624.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vernon, R., ‘The Product Cycle Hypothesis in a New International Environment,’Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics Vol. 41, November 1979: pp. 255–268.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wheeler, J.W., Janow M.E., and Pepper T., ‘Japanese Industrial Development Policies in the 1980s’.Hudson Institute Report, HI-3470-RR, October 1982.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Baruch College, The City University of New York, USA

    David M. Flynn (Professor)

Authors
  1. David M. Flynn
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

The author wishes to thank Professors Azumi, Nakamura, and Patrick, and the other members of theUniversity Seminar on Modern Japan, Columbia University for their suggestions on an earlier version of this paper in 1984.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Flynn, D.M. Organizational and environmental effects on innovation: A comparison of two countries. Asia Pacific J Manage 2, 150–163 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01734392

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01734392

Keywords

Search

Navigation