Lajinmukaisuus

Lajinmukaisuus refers to a concept in the study of organizations and groups, specifically highlighting the need for inherent characteristics of a group to be recognized and understood in order to truly comprehend the dynamics and behavior of that group. In essence, lajinmukaisuus acknowledges that groups have distinct properties that cannot be simply reduced to their individual members or their external characteristics.

This concept is closely related to the idea of "groupness" or the essence of being a group. It suggests that groups have unique qualities and behaviors that arise from the interactions and relationships within the group. Acknowledging these inherent characteristics is essential for understanding the motivations, behaviors, and decision-making processes of the group.

The concept of lajinmukaisuus originated from studies on Japanese employment systems, where it became apparent that the traditional group-based organizational structures (companies, schools, and other types of collectives) exhibited unique characteristics, norms, and values. These characteristics often contrasted with the individualistic values of, for example, Western societies.

In a divergent society, tasks are carried out effectively when individuals put group goals above their own, individual desires. The distinction of lajinmukaisuus highlights the role of the group in determining individual actions and contributes to understanding the specific operating rules within groups. It functions as an analytical framework for organizations in situations where groups' outcomes depend heavily upon shared norms, values, and behaviors shared among their members.