MGT 400 – INTRODUCTION TO MANAGEMENT

INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT (LEADERSHIP) – MATSUSHITA KONOSUKE

Prepared by:

AIDA BT ZAMRI

HTM245A1

2019283348

971224-06-5746

Prepared for:

MADAM MUNA WADHIHA BINTI MOHD FAUZI

Submission Date:

9th December 2019

INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT MGT 400

TABLE OF CONTENT

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT....................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………………………...................3
LEADERSHIP BEHAVIOUR…………………………………………………………………...............3
SELF CONFIDENCE…………………………………………………………………………………….4
CONCLUSION…………………………………………………………………………………….....…..5

REFERENCES…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….….6
INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT MGT 400

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First and foremost, I would like to express my deepest appreciation to all those who provided me
the possibility to complete this report; to those who contributed in stimulating suggestions and
encouragement, helped me to coordinate my assignment especially in writing this report.

Furthermore, I would also like to acknowledge with much appreciations to our Principles
and Practice of Management’s Lecturer, Madam Muna Wadhiha Binti Mohd Fauzi for the
valuable guidance and advice. She has inspired me to finish my assignment with numerous
consultations. She also has motivated me to finish this assignment.

A special thanks especially to my classmates, HTM245A1 because they give their

corporation.

Last but not least, a special thanks to my parents who have invested their full effort on
financial support and mental support on me. Without them this assignment and report cannot be
done and printed.

Lastly, I would like to thank to all peoples that have helps me a lot to finish this
assignment whether directly or indirectly way. Thanks a lot for everything.
INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT MGT 400

INTRODUCTION

It is safe to say that the two World Wars had many impacts on global economy and especially that of
participated countries. It could also be argued that they re-shaped the global economic power map of that
period. Japan participated in both World Wars and although the chaotic situation brought much hardship
on businesses it, at the same time, provided opportunities for entrepreneurs. During this period of
difficulties, one Japanese company was established as a family-like business with only 3 members and
this same company is now one of the largest firms in the world.

LEADERSHIP BEHAVIOUR

Although there are many factors involved it is almost certain that the leadership played a crucial role to
the success of the company. Unlike many other famous western leaders, Matsushita Konosuke, founder of
Panasonic Corporation, had a different point of view towards production and business. Japan was
devastated as the result of the two World Wars and being a person with strong spirit of patriotism
Matsushita clearly stated: "Production is the very foundation of our recovery".

He was the first person to introduced "Japanese Business Philosophy" which essentially reflects his
motto and drive: to contribute to society and see profit as a reward. Matsushita Konosuke is an excellent
example of a very effective leader who displayed traits, behaviors and practices that are essential to one.
In this report his point of view, thought process and decision-makings will be assessed to see how he
learnt to cope with changes. More importantly his practices will be measured against some of the
common leadership theories in order to define him a very well admired and great leader.
INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT MGT 400

SELF-CONFIDENCE AND COURAGE

Firstly, Personality is named one of the key contributors to entrepreneurial success as reported by
Gregory, Paul 'The New Zealand Herald, New Zealand, 2013'. Self-confident and courage features are
clearly seen in the case of Matsushita Konosuke. Prior to the establishment of Panasonic Corporation,
Matsushita had worked for Osaka Electric Company for 7 years.

The young inspector proposed his supervisor with the invention of Double Cluster Socket. He was
filled with confidence that the socket would be a success and widely spread but the refusal resulted in his
disappointment and shame. Matsushita then decided to take risk and start his business so that he could
produce and trade his own products with 97 yen at hands. His self-confidence and courage were some of
the key components to the basis of Matsushita’s own business, which later became a successful
globalized public entity.
INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT MGT 400

CONCLUSION

Today, Panasonic Corporation is one of the largest electronic manufacturers with strong competitive
products. In 1994, Panasonic was listed as the highest revenue growth of all corporations that was
associated with famous entrepreneurs. PHP Institute and Matsushita Institute of Government and
Management (MIGM), both founded by Matsushita Konosuke, have been sustaining its high position in
the new technology world for decades.

Many generations of leaders in Japan still receive education from these institutes. Matsushita also
influenced the Japanese business culture with his motto “to contribute to society and see profit as a
reward”. Thanks to that, Japanese economy still maintains its strong competitive position in this ever -
changing world, despite the development and application of new philosophies and technologies. And
above all, everyone is living a comfortable and joyful life with the help of many electronic products,
which were developed by Matsushita.

These are all results of Matsushita’s great leadership. A long with the real life evidence, his actions
and decisions toward his career represent personality, motivational and cognitive traits of an effective
leader. With self - confidence and courage, he started his company at early age in a harsh economy
environment. His extroversion and farsightedness enabled him to observe nature and people and develop
a “business is people” philosophy that strongly influences his employees and followers as well as many
other corporations. He did not have a formal education but his knowledge of business was famous
through out his career.

It is his drive, creativity and strong work ethic that made him a good model that impact his people’s
action and attitude. His steely spirit, which was a result of a poverty childhood and early lost,
demonstrated the will to overcome any difficulties and hardship of a leader. Lastly, his insight into people
and situation allowed the company to build a strong culture to overcome the Great Depression.
Matsushita Konosuke is no doubt one of the greatest leaders of Japanese Corporations and through out
history.
INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT MGT 400

REFERENCES

Carin-Isabel Knoop (2008). The Center for Creative Leadership. Retrieved on December 8, 2019 from
http://panasonic.net/history/corporate/chronicle/1927-01.html

Daniel Goleman (2009). Leadership that gets result. Retrieved on December 8. 2019 from
http://panasonic.net/careers/career_development/konosuke_matsushita/

Frederick Bruce Bird (2004) Ethics, The Heart of Leadership. Retrieved on December 8. 2019 from
http://panasonic.net/history/corporate/chronicle/1945-01.html