Softbank:: An internet keiretsu and its leveraging of information asymmetries

Michael Lynskey and Seiichiro Yonekura

European Management Journal, 2001, vol. 19, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: In this paper we examine the development of Softbank, the Japanese Internet investment conglomerate, and make two propositions. Firstly, we suggest that while the traditional keiretsu system began to unravel, Softbank, ironically, represented a new kind of keiretsu. Paradoxically, during its evolution, Softbank has resembled each of three broad types of traditional keiretsu. Secondly, we attribute Softbank's success to its ability to leverage asymmetries in three types of information: the value-chain asymmetry between software developers and retailers; the financial asymmetry between practices in the US and Japan; and the technology asymmetry between computer products in the US and Japan.

Keywords: Internet; Keiretsu; Information; asymmetries; New; economy; Venture; capital; Entrepreneurship; Start-up; companies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2001
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