Their excuse:company culture.
Unfortunately, emissions scandals are nothing new.
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VW initiallyblamed a couple of software developersgoing rogue for the scandal but later admitted to executive knowledge.
But theresults of the Hino investigationinto the how and why blame an inward-looking and conservativecompany culture.
It prevented each employee from carrying out his or her work with a sense of involvement and solidarity.
This led to a lack ofpsychological safety, with engineers feeling unable to challenge their superiors.
What is psychological safety?
The organization has become an ill-organized one where people are unable to say what they cannot do.
How much is the Japanese work culture to blame?
They commit to the company until they retire.
But the automotive industry isnt exactly known for diversity in the corporate divisions.
Cases of sexual harassment persist.
The factory floor may be more diverse butracially discriminatory.
Workers in theUS Hino factorycomplainabout a lack of flexibility:
You will be there most of your life.
They do not care about your life outside of work.
Just make Hino Motors the MILLIONS they make each year.
You will probably be divorced, and your children will likely forget who you are.
How will Hino improve its company culture?
However, the Hino Way sounds like another form of groupthink what got them into this mess.
But the world is watching until the next emissions scandal erupts.
Story byCate Lawrence
Cate Lawrence is an Australian tech journo living in Berlin.
