Title

Long-Term Cooperation in Japanese Vertical Relationships

Abstract

The primary purpose of the study is to identify significant features of Japanese vertical relationships and to provide economic rationale. Japanese vertical relationships, particularly automobile industry, are examined in comparison with those in the U.S. Both buyers and suppliers can be identified to be mutually dependent and have developed long-term cooperative relationships with relationship-specific investments. They have developed facilitating practices to build and maintain trust between them. It could reduce transaction costs and eliminate inefficiencies in trading relationships with cooperation and reputation in long-term relationships.

Keywords: Commitment; Cooperation; Reputation; Japanese firms; Long-term relationships; Relationship-specific investment; Vertical relationships

JEL Classification: L14; L62

Kenji KOJIMA
Research Institute for Economics and Business Administration
Kobe University
Rokkodai-cho, Nada-ku, Kobe
657-8501 Japan
Phone: (81) 78 803 7036
Fax: (81) 78 803 7059