We aim here for a better understanding of the Japanese keiretsu. Our essential claim is that to understand the Japanese system-banks with extensive investment in industry and industry with extensive cross-ownership-we must understand the problems of industrial organization, not just the problems...

Much of our understanding of competitive advantage draws upon the experience of Western firms. Massive Japanese investment in an effort to replicate keiretsu (interfirm) networks in Asia since the 1980s presents fertile grounds to shed new light on the sources of competitive advantage. Building...