Japanese workplace productivity: what can health care managers learn from this phenomenon?

In this paper, factors which have contributed to the high levels of workplace productivity in Japan are examined. On any number of productivity indicators, Japan outperforms Australia. A summary of the debate about whether Australia can learn from Japanese workplace productivity practices is presented. An analysis of what health care managers can learn from Japanese workplace productivity is conducted. Six Japanese-influenced measures are identified as having utility, or potential utility, for Australian health care. It is concluded that the adoption of some or all of these measures should be given careful consideration by health care managers.