The Japanese corporations are usually considered as creators of the newest approaches and methods to manage production systems and human resources. To understant the role of Japanese enterprises in the diffusion of such approaches and methods, we analysed the learning process that occurs in Brazilian and Mexican firms as a consequence of their relationship with Japanese subsidiaries for which they supply parts and components. We analyse whether and how learning processes are induced by that dynamics based on field research conducted among local firms, both in Brazil and Mexico. The main conclusion is that the Japanese subsidiaries are not the main actors in the diffusion of Japanese inspired techniques among local enterprises.
learning organization; japanese firm; brazilian and mexican firms; technology transfer
