http://repub.eur.nl/res/aut/6093/ List of Publications en http://repub.eur.nl/static-eur/img/logo.png http://repub.eur.nl http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/7547/ 2006-03-02T00:00:00Z This dissertation explores a new field of study in the paradigms of logistics management and their evolution. General observations detected the existence of large differences of logistics practices between Europe and Japan, and that Japanese are apparently trying to tread the European path. Comparative studies were done on European and Japanese logistics management to find out what causes the differences and whether there can be a universal logistics paradigm to better manage expanding supply chains across borders. Empirical studies were done on the perceptions of practioners in logistics. The study showed a typical ‘bounded rationality of logistical decision makings, and revealed the fact that European logistics is mainly regulated by the paradigm of logicality and fairness, while Japanese logistics is by that of customer satisfaction and long-term relationship. The important finding was that the people on both sides had inner yearning for the opposite paradigm as a good catalyst for better logistics management. Therefore, there will be simultaneous occurrence of Europeanisation of Japanese logistics management paradigm and the Japanisation of that of the European for the time being. However, we conclude that it is not known yet if a unified single paradigm of logistics management can be developed or not, as long-term transition of the paradigms is subject to the laws of evolution, which are still indecisive between a natural selection and a habitat segregation. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/7330/ 2006-02-06T00:00:00Z Japanese companies value service and quality highly and they put much effort in realising this. However, survey research carried out in 2001 among senior managers of Japanese logistics companies in the Netherlands, indicated that these efforts do not result in significant performance differences compared to western companies. In this exploratory paper, we report of company visits and interviews with managers of Japanese logistics companies in Western Europe. They described a clash of cultures underlying their operations, prohibiting them from achieving performance excellence. The causes focus around two key factors: the unique concept of Japanese service, based on future rewards which are absent in Western Europe; different employment circumstances in Western Europe, which make Japanese human resource management ineffective, and the Japanese career development system which makes that Japanese managers do not always have the right focus in their job abroad. We conclude that Japanese subsidiaries in Western Europe should keep on nourishing their unequalled service standards, while simultaneously adapting to efficiency standards of Western business practices in order to become more successful in the future.