Patterns of Creativity in Japan Lessons from Successful Japanese Companies – A Resource

Create “District Station Masters”

Bring previously unrelated organizations into a single, regional whole, creating a new paradigm with greater emphasis on horizontal ties.

This enables communication and coordination and creates a forum for exchanging and sharing information – sparking innovation.

Example: East Japan Railways created ‘District Station Masters’ to help bring together parts of the organization that previously did not work together.

Source: Katayama, O. (1996). Japanese business into the 21st Century: strategies for success.