Global Issues: Japan/Globalization/Kyocera-Business Model
Kyocera: Business Model & Technological Solutions to Global Issues
This chapter is an overview of the oral report that I gave for the Global Issues in Japan Course for Summer 2009.
Kyocera was founded in 1959 by Dr. Kazuo Inamori and seven of his colleagues. It started as a small suburban factory with no money or credentials. The founders shared a vision of creating a company dedicated to successful manufacturing and sale of innovative and high quality products. Kyocera's original product was a ceramic insulator for television tubes. Kyocera's product list has grown today to include solar power generators, telecommunications equipment, such as cell phones, copiers, electronic components, cutting tools, and medical and dental implant system components. Fine ceramics are still Kyocera's core competence. Kyocera maintains a broad expertise that allows them to have a hand in the full range of processes, beginning with development, then to production to sales and logistics, all with one product line. Each product line management team develops new products and markets them by integrating Kyocera technologies to lead in new trends. It practices a "Customer First Principle" to create value through complete customer satisfaction in price, quality, service and delivery. Today, Kyocera's employees include over 68,000 and a unique approach to business. Its corporate motto is "Respect the Divine and Love People." Kyocera's goal is to preserve the spirit, to work fairly and honorably respect the people, our work, our company and our global community.
Kyocera has a unique philosophy behind its management style, which are based on three pillars: Coexist with our society, coexist with our global community,and coexist with nature. Kyocera encourages employees to do what is right as human being and practice this in day to day application. Management strives to provide opportunities for the material and intellectual growth of all employees and contribute to the advancement of society and humankind through joint efforts.
Kyocera began developing solar energy capabilities and have been continuously since 1975. Its aim is to make it more practical, affordable and available. It has made many achievements in solar power, the generating systems have been installed in 100 homes in Kobe,Japan to inspire community development that is good for the people and for the environment. Kyocera, most recently developed solar modules for the Toyota Prius, and powered a New Jersey sewage treatment plant and installed solar modules in the European Court of Justice.
Kyocera does many different things to uphold its philosophies and principles such as:
-reducing greenhouse gases emitted through product life-cycles by developing clean energy technologies such as solar power -on-site environmental classes for children because Kyocera believes the children are responsible for the next era -employee guide called "Eco Life Note" which is an Earth and budget-friendly guide for the home -the company has had a environmental division since 1985 -printers were first to receive Ecomark certification -hold social responsibility meetings and environment report meetings as well as business meetings with employees -before releasing any chemicals from production plants into water ways, the waste is purified to a clean state -first company to mass-produce solar cells -first company to sell solar-power generation systems in residential homes
Kyocera has been a very innovative company and has plans to continue to do so for a long time.
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