Absence of Customers’ Voice as the Cause of Limited New Product Development in a Small Long-Standing Family-Owned Craft Business in Japan

Katsushi Yamaguchi () and Hironori Higashide ()
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Katsushi Yamaguchi: Japan University of Economics
Hironori Higashide: Waseda University

Chapter Chapter 3 in Succession and Innovation in Asia’s Small-and-Medium-Sized Enterprises, 2021, pp 55-81 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract Gyokusendo is a small manufacturer of copper wares, located in Tsubame city, Japan. It has been managed by Tamagawa family since 1816. When Mr. Motoyuki Tamagawa, the current CEO, joined the business, he faced a difficult management dilemma. While the family business was getting closer to bankruptcy, it appeared that tsuiki techniques for fine copper wares, the traditional craftsmanship only available in the area, needed to be protected and passed to the next generation. He has successfully turnarounded the business by re-organizing distribution systems, as well as starting listening to the end-user’s voices, which resulted in protecting the traditional techniques and in a better family harmony. Further, his initiatives include the overseas expansion to various countries and have continuously attracted would-be artisans for the future.

Keywords: Long-standing japanese family business; Family business turnaround; Succession; Craftsmanship; Customer-focused management; Artisan; Overseas expansion (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-981-15-9015-3_3

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DOI: 10.1007/978-981-15-9015-3_3

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