David Hale on the long-term view of Japan vs. short-termism of Corporate America

We have a tendency to emphasize short-term reward and not long-term benefits, and to view the role of a corporate sector as strictly economic and not understand that it has human dimensions.  The Japanese recognize their corporate sector to be a kind of community, which in turn commands a high level of loyalty from people.  Americans view their corporations as a place they go from 9 to 5.

~ David Hale, chief economist, Kemper Financial Services, "A Top Economist Frets About '80s Hangover," Investor's Daily, February 1, 1990