Deployment of Human Relations

This chapter analyzes the deployment of human relations concerning the transformation of the management system and industrial relations. Socioeconomic backgrounds and actual situations of the deployment of human relations greatly differed between Japan and Germany. For instance, in Japan, human relations measures were deployed in response to the conflict between management and labor, which resulted from the regal recognition of labor unions, the growing labor movement, and the need to modernize and democratize management. In contrast, Germany did not need to modernize its management as strongly as Japan. Consequently, the United States facilitated the introduction of human relations aiming at labor relation reforms. However, in general, many factors affected the implementation of human relations measures. Therefore, this chapter considers the deployment of human relations, paying attention to environmental factors, such as management values and traditions, industrial relations, the worker participation system (the codetermination system), and market structure. It also examines the Japanese and German characteristics regarding the deployment of human relations. Based on these discussions, this chapter clarifies the progress of reframing in Japan and Germany’s Americanization process.