Discussion Papers 2018

CIRJE-J-295	『組織デザインと企業成長：戦前日本の総合商社における三井と三菱』 "Organizational Design and Growth of Trading Company: Comparing Mitsui and Mitsubishi in Prewar Japan"
Author Name	岡崎哲二 (Tetsuji Okazaki)
Date	March 2018
Full Paper	PDF file (only Japanese version available)
Remarks

Abstract (in Japanese)	Abstract (in English)
	This paper compares the organizational designs of two major trading companies in prewar Japan, Mitsui & Co. and Mitsubishi & Co., and investigates their implications on firm growth. These two companies adopted different organizational designs. While Mitsui’s organization was divided by region and decision making was decentralized, Mitsubishi’s organization was divided by commodity and decision making was centralized. As an implication of these different organizational designs, it is expected that Mitsui had advantage in those markets that were exposed to frequent local shocks, while Mitsubishi had advantage in those commodities that were exposed to global shocks across regions. We collected the data on the characteristics of export markets and export commodities, as well as export performance of Mitsui and Mitsubishi for those markets and commodities. The results of regression analyses are consistent with our expectation.

Abstract (in Japanese)

Abstract (in English)

This paper compares the organizational designs of two major trading companies in prewar Japan, Mitsui & Co. and Mitsubishi & Co., and investigates their implications on firm growth. These two companies adopted different organizational designs. While Mitsui’s organization was divided by region and decision making was decentralized, Mitsubishi’s organization was divided by commodity and decision making was centralized. As an implication of these different organizational designs, it is expected that Mitsui had advantage in those markets that were exposed to frequent local shocks, while Mitsubishi had advantage in those commodities that were exposed to global shocks across regions. We collected the data on the characteristics of export markets and export commodities, as well as export performance of Mitsui and Mitsubishi for those markets and commodities. The results of regression analyses are consistent with our expectation.