Personnel planning, technological changes and outsourcing in the Japanese – automobile industry: Part 1

Abstract

Part 1 of this paper looks at the labour market strategy of Japanese firms, including models of the 'life–time employment' system and employment adjustment in manufacturing industry after the 1970s oil crisis. A case study is presented of personnel planning in a Japanese automobile company. Part 2 of this paper will deal with the impact of industrial robots on employment and industrial relations, and with outsourcing in the Japanese automobile industry.