US shipbuilders take sixteen months to complete a
50 thousand ton tanker. The Spaniards take even
longer to produce a ship of similar tonnage—24
months. But Japanese shipbuilders do the job in just
eight months.
What is the secret of this Japanese miracle? A
survey conducted by western experts shows that
the deciding factor is teamwork. Japanese workers
and management function together in complete
unison. At no stage during the work processes is
this bond disrupted. The result is the production of
high quality goods within an amazingly short time.
Group harmony is something which is part of the
whole fabric of Japanese culture and work methods.
Whether in the home or in the factory, in large
institutions or small, the will to be cooperative
manifests itself as the truly distinctive feature of the
Japanese character. William Ouchi, an expert in
Japanology writes: “Every activity in Japan is group
activity and not a springboard to individual glory
and personal advertisement.” (The Hindustan Times,
February 16, 1986)
It is to this specialty that Japan’s greatest secret of
national progress can be traced. The willingness of
large numbers of people to work together with
good grace is a prerequisite for success in any
venture. The only flaw in this system of joint effort
is that the personality of the individual has little
opportunity to flourish. But it is only a nation which
is made up of individuals who are prepared to
make this personal sacrifice which can ever aspire
to success. Where individuals keep pulling in
opposite directions, no substantial progress can
even be made at the national level.
When work is cooperative in spirit, well coordinated
in organization and blessed with an
atmosphere of harmony, the sky is the limit in
quality and quantity of production. It is unity then
which is the true key to success.
Ref - The Moral Vision
- by Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
