Roles and Problems of Mother Plants in Automobile and Electronics industries

本研究审查了日本的母厂和总部对其国外附属公司的作用和问题，特别侧重于技术转让。毫无疑问，“物质-结果”类型的技术转让，如产品技术，资本货物，包括来自日本的设备和部件，在母厂向附属公司的技术转让中发挥了至关重要的作用。“材料-方法”类型的技术转让，例如设备维护和质量控制，也很重要。日本外派和临时派遣员工的任务往往与这些努力有关。日本公司热情地教育和培训当地员工，特别是强调生产控制。在强调OJT的情况下，日本公司经常派遣大量当地员工到日本的母厂接受培训，以补充附属工厂培训不足的情况。这种对教育和培训的热情是日本跨国公司的一个显著特征。然而，日本跨国公司；公司必须面对许多问题。“人-方法”类型的技术转移，如多功能技能和员工参与管理，落后于“材料-方法”类型的技术转移。这导致不同部门之间的协调不佳，这反过来可能会妨碍质量或维护方面的故障排除。对“物质-结果”型技术转让的依赖导致了东道国对日本的贸易逆差。在许多情况下，强大的权威是由总部或日本的母厂行使的。这既扼杀了当地员工的积极性，又使总部在信息处理方面负担过重。

This study examines the roles and problems of mother plants and headquarters in Japan to their affiliates abroad, particularly focusing the transfer of technology.1.There is no question that the 'Material-Result' type of technology transfer, such as product technology, and capital goods including equipment and components from Japan, had playd a crucial role in the transfer of technology by mother plants to their affiliates.2.The 'Material-Method' type of technology transfer, such as maintenance of equipment and quality control, is also important. The tasks of Japanese expatriate and temporarily dispatched employees are often relevant to these efforts.3.Japanese compains educate and train local employees enthusiastically, especially by emphasizing production control. With an emphasis on OJT,Japanese companies often supplement insufficient training at affiliated plants by sending numerous local employees to Japan for training at the mother plants. This type of enthusiasm for education and training is a salient feature of Japanese multinational companies.Nevertheless, Japanese multinationa ; companies must face a number of problems.1.'Human-Method' type of technology transfer, such as multifunctional skills and employee participation to management, lags behind 'Material-Method' type of technology transfer. This leads to poor co-ordination between different sections, which in turn may hamper trouble shooting regarding quality or maintenance.2.Reliance of 'Material-Result' type of technology transfer contributes to a trade deficit with Japan on the part of the host countries.3.In numerous cases, strong authority is exercised by headquarters or mother plants in Japan. This stifles the motivation of local employees and imposes too heavy burden for headquarters in terms of information processing.