The evolution of Wa (group harmony) in Japanese society and the nature of work

The purpose of this paper was to primarily review the literature on the evolution of ‘Wa’ and group harmony and identify it’s sources of which are embedded in various contexts such as history, culture, politics, business and general society. It was found by the authors that Wa is alive in the public domain of today’s Japanese society and more importantly in current work practices. However not even the Japanese society is immune from the effects of globalisation. The shifting of boundaries organisational and local (national) due to Japan’s internal financial crises, brings with it mergers, acquisitions and the potential for Japanese to be influenced by and adopt their western counterparts style of individualism and flexible management practices which in the future may impact on the principles of Wa and the nature of work. This research has identified some emerging trends in Japan of a move away from benevolent corporate paternalism to more of flexible markets and labour practices: some of prinicples adapted from Wa, such as jobs for life, seniority employment systems, collectivism are at threat of eradication or transfomation