INTERNATIONAL STRATEGY IMPLICATIONS OF JAPANESE INDUSTRIAL STRUCTURE Available to Purchase

This article explores a complex aspect of Japanese industrial organization—the Japanese Corporate Grouping (JCG) commonly known as keiretsu or kigyo shudan. They are a blend of political‐financial, strategically‐coordinated, bank‐related, industrially‐linked, intermarket relationships which provide member companies with the support to vigorously pursue international market opportunities. The article draws on these relational dimensions to develop a framework for exploring the critical implications of the JCG for organization theory and international business strategy. To remain competitive, international managers must meet many strategic challenges posed by Group‐Form organizations.