For example, American companies tend to focus on the next quarter. In contrast, Japanese companies tend to have a 10 year plan.
This is a commonly repeated trope, but I don't think it's true. The time frame a company targets is primarily a function of it's business model, not it's country of origin.
Many US companies have a long term (30+ year) focus; Pharma (long drug development cycles), some Big Tech (Oracle, IBM focus on relationships with big business), many financial companies (Berkshire and Lehman Brothers make long term bets in securities markets) and all oil companies (finding oil takes time).
Most companies with a short term focus primarily focus on rapidly changing markets. Apple is is focused on building a shiny version of whatever is hot right now (or about to be hot) and Goldman is focused on short term speculation/services. It's not hard to think of foreign companies with a short term focus - L'Oreal (next big thing in cosmetics) and Bandai (next big thing in toys) are two such examples.
This is a commonly repeated trope, but I don't think it's true.
Thanks. I know it is a commonly repeated trope, which is why I gave it as an example -- knowing that someone was likely to argue the specific example but hoping it would suffice as an example of the point I was making. Relying heavily on AC strikes me as a short-term view kind of solution. It is cheaper (in the long run) and more effective to rely more heavily on passive solar design.
Maybe because I spent 14 hours yesterday throwing up, so I'm not exactly at my best. Besides, I think I did give a real example of it: Personal firsthand experience with individuals I have known. However, I know that anecdotal evidence is not generally considered strong evidence, so I tried to also reference something commonly said in hopes that would be better understood/accepted. Apparently, those hopes were in vain.
This is a commonly repeated trope, but I don't think it's true. The time frame a company targets is primarily a function of it's business model, not it's country of origin.
Many US companies have a long term (30+ year) focus; Pharma (long drug development cycles), some Big Tech (Oracle, IBM focus on relationships with big business), many financial companies (Berkshire and Lehman Brothers make long term bets in securities markets) and all oil companies (finding oil takes time).
Most companies with a short term focus primarily focus on rapidly changing markets. Apple is is focused on building a shiny version of whatever is hot right now (or about to be hot) and Goldman is focused on short term speculation/services. It's not hard to think of foreign companies with a short term focus - L'Oreal (next big thing in cosmetics) and Bandai (next big thing in toys) are two such examples.