Honda Philosophy
The Honda Philosophy, bequeathed to the Company by its founders Soichiro Honda and Takeo Fujisawa, is composed of Fundamental Beliefs (Respect for the Individual and The Three Joys), the Company Principle and Management Policies. The Philosophy forms the values shared by all Honda Group companies and all of their associates and is the basis for Honda’s corporate activities and the associates’ behavior and decision-making.
Moving beyond words alone, Honda incorporates the Philosophy into educational programs for its associates and gives it life by turning it into action, from everyday business activities to management decision-making, so that every person in the Company can responsibly continue putting the Philosophy into practice.
Additionally, Honda engages in corporate activities under the concept of “Free and Open, Challenge, Co-evolution” – that is, the concept of bringing into play Honda’s corporate culture of “taking up the challenge without fear of failure, free from the prejudice of preconceived ideas, and with a foundation of teamwork based on trust.”
Society’s expectations toward Honda continue to evolve with the times. As a responsible global company, Honda will undertake the resolution of problems while listening to the voices of its diverse stakeholders so as to meet their expectations and earn their trust.
Fundamental Beliefs
Respect for the Individual
Initiative
Initiative means not to be bound by preconceived ideas, but think creatively and act on your own initiative and judgment, while understanding that you must take responsibility for the results of those actions.
Equality
Equality means to recognize and respect individual differences in one another and treat each other fairly. Our company is committed to this principle and to creating equal opportunities for each individual. An individual’s race, sex, age, religion, national origin, educational background, social or economic status have no bearing on the individual’s opportunities
Trust
The relationship among associates at Honda should be based on mutual trust. Trust is created by recognizing each other as individuals, helping out where others are deficient, accepting help where we are deficient, sharing our knowledge, and making a sincere effort to fulfill our responsibilities.
The Three Joys
The Joy of Buying
The joy of buying is achieved through providing products and services that exceed the needs and expectations of each customer.
The Joy of Selling
The joy of selling occurs when those who are engaged in selling and servicing Honda products develop relationships with a customer based on mutual trust. Through this relationship, Honda associates, dealers and distributors experience pride and joy in satisfying the customer and in representing Honda to the customer.
The Joy of Creating
The joy of creating occurs when Honda associates and suppliers involved in the design, development, engineering and manufacturing of Honda products recognize a sense of joy in our customers and dealers. The joy of creating occurs when quality products exceed expectations and we experience pride in a job well done.
Company Principle
Maintaining a global viewpoint, we are dedicated to supplying products of the highest quality yet at a reasonable price for worldwide customer satisfaction.
Management Policies
- Proceed always with ambition and youthfulness.
- Respect sound theory, develop fresh ideas and make the most effective use of time.
- Enjoy your work, and encourage open communications.
- Strive constantly for a harmonious flow of work.
- Be ever mindful of the value of research and endeavor.
Honda Code of Conduct
In order to earn the trust of customers and society and grow sustainably, companies must not only comply with laws and regulations but go beyond those legal structures by practicing ethical corporate conduct.
In light of the rising importance of compliance for Honda as it expands business operations globally, the Honda Conduct Guidelines were revised on April 1 2016, outlining the behaviors to be practiced by people working at Honda around the world. The guidelines were renamed the Honda Code of Conduct at the same time.
The Company works to instill the Honda Code of Conduct in each and every associate through actions such as the distribution of leaflets, posting of information on its intranet and through training. Each of Honda’s departments and subsidiaries regularly checks the status of activities to ensure awareness of the Code, and, reports to the Compliance Committee.
Recognizing this, in 2003 Honda formulated the Honda Conduct Guidelines for the Honda Group, which have been shared throughout the Group, including subsidiaries in Japan and overseas.