B. Inoue, of Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd., writes Mr. K. Hopper, saying that most of the SEI (Sumitomo Electric Industries) factories were destroyed by bombs during World War II and discusses why he believes the Japanese lost the war with the United States. He talks about the company-wide management movement that began in 1946 that re-educated the young employees below middle management (kachos). Inoue says that young employees were recruited to learn scientific management methods. He talks about the training the foremen and middle management received. Inoue recalls that after the entire picture of the American method was revealed at the CCS (Civil Communications Section) seminar, the company-wide management movement expanded its sphere of activity. He talks about the control systems that were implemented and the Japanese version of the "Statistical Quality Control Handbook" of Western Electric that was published by SEI. Inoue goes on to discuss the suggestion system implemented for foremen and workers and the prize money awarded depending on the rating of the suggestion. The letter contains Inoue's original signature. The letter contains original handwritten notations and markings. In addition, the letter contains an original handwritten "41" in two places on the top, right corner of page 1.
Inoue, Bunzaemon, 1906- Hopper, Kenneth, 1926- Letters Sumitomo Denki Kōgyō Kabushiki Kaisha Management Factories World War II Production (Economic theory) Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers Time study Motion study Line and staff organization Cost control Production control Inventory control Engineers Quality control Nihon Kagaku Gijutsu Renmei Western Electric Company Employees - Training of Quality circles Japan Management Association Union of Japanese Scientists and Engineers Sakamoto, Isamu Hopper, Claire
Original letter: Letter from B. Inoue to Mr. K. Hopper, March 10, 1982; Kenneth Hopper Papers on Management; Box 2 Correspondence incoming; Folder 4 Bunzaemon Inoue, 1982; 4 pages
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