スキル研究としての知的熟練論

抄録

This paper presents a review of Prof. Kazuo Koike’s work on intellectual skills. His research on the intellectual skills of production-line workers in the Japanese manufacturing industry reveals that intellectual skills dealing with uncertainty and change have played an important role in increasing productivity. Koike conducted various studies concluding that intellectual skills were the key determinant for Japanʼs rapid economic growth after World War II. This paper assesses the concept of intellectual skills within the context of international applicability and historical universality. The analysis then goes on to discuss the skill development of Japanese employees in order to provide various perspectives for future research. After reviewing Koikeʼs work, the author concludes that the impacts of intellectual skills are likely to be non-trivial and that intellectual skills may potentially be a strong point for Japanese people and firms, as well as the Japanese economy.