Roles and Problems of Mother Plants in Automobile and Electronics industries

这项研究考察了日本母厂和总部对其海外子公司的作用和问题，特别是技术转让。1.毫无疑问，“物质-结果”类型的技术转让，如产品技术，以及包括来自日本的设备和零部件在内的资本货物，在母厂向其子公司转让技术的过程中发挥了关键作用。2.“材料-方法”类型的技术转让，如设备维护和质量控制，也很重要。日本侨民和临时派遣员工的任务往往与这些努力有关。3.日本同胞对当地员工进行热情的教育和培训，特别是强调生产控制。随着对OJT的重视，日本公司经常通过派遣大量当地员工到日本母厂接受培训，来补充附属工厂培训的不足。这种对教育和培训的热情是日本跨国公司的一个显著特点。然而，日本跨国公司必须面对许多问题。1.“人的方法”式的技术转移，如多功能技能和员工参与管理，落后于“物质方法”式的技术转移。这导致不同部门之间的协调不力，进而可能阻碍质量或维护方面的故障排除。2.依赖“物质-结果”型技术转让导致东道国对日本的贸易逆差。3.在许多情况下，强大的权力由日本的总部或母工厂行使。这扼杀了当地员工的积极性，并在信息处理方面给总部带来了太重的负担。

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.