“Japanese and American Workers: Two Casts of Mind” Excerpt from Theory Z By William Ouchi 1981 The following essay compares and contrasts Japan’s collective work ethic with the American spirit of individualism. As you prepare to read the essay, think about your own work ethic: Why you study, for example, do you prefer to study alone or in a group? What kinds of jobs have you had? Did they stress individual responsibility or team work? What gives you more satisfaction – success gained through your own efforts or work that has been completed as part of collaboration with others?