This manuscript examines the results of a quantitative and qualitative survey on Additive Manufacturing in the Czech Republic, specifically the adoption within the aerospace industry. The study conducted in 2016 and 2017 provides a general understanding of the implementation. To better gauge the experience, two intensive interviews provide a candid perspective of the challenges encountered. The discussion depicts the central issues that each enterprise encounters during this transition from traditional to Additive Manufacturing. The findings reveal that, although the transformation is on-going, a solid knowledge base remains a critical element to successful deployment.

This discussion centres on the growing impact of the transformation to digitalisation in various industry sectors. Enterprises seek to engage individuals who possess an appropriate profile to fulfil vacancies or new positions to assist in the transformation endeavour. Traditional job descriptions are replaced by the need for agile technical skills, project management competencies, and critical thinking. Challenges increase proportionally to the local employment rate. To evaluate such an impact, a project has been established to determine the reaction of employers once confronted with the lack of same-culture candidates. This manuscript represents the first phase of the project wherein the status quo is documented through an analysis of the extant literature. The findings of this exercise then serve as a benchmark from which survey results are monitored. Although the literature review does not dispel all Czech stereotypes, it does provide a more realistic image of Czech cultural traits and characteristics.

Purpose Readers from outside the region may not be familiar with the subject matter, therefore, the purpose of this paper is to serve as a foundation for the further reading and appreciation of the submitted manuscripts. Design/methodology/approach Based on a pertinent literature review, the foreword addresses the general subject matter of this special edition. The approach used was to introduce the reader to the contents as well as to complement and introduce the contributions. Findings The literature review substantiates the varied positions adopted and exposed by the contributing authors. Originality/value The contents are derived from original research. The value, as mentioned above, positions the reader to better understand the subject matter at hand.

This text focuses on the cultural relationships between Czech nationals employed at Japanese subsidiaries located in the Czech Republic. The paper analyses the possibilities of implementation of Toyota Production System within Japanese subsidiaries in Czech Republic. Moreover, it explores both the fi t between the cultural values of Czech and Japanese management and the values incorporated in the Toyota Production System, and the various relationships of employees of both cultures at a managerial and operational level. In order to conduct the study, 79 companies were contacted, and survey responses from a total of 108 Czech and Japanese employees were collected. Using a self-administered questionnaire created in Czech, English and Japanese language, the fi ndings of both common and divergent culturally-induced perspectives are analysed. Due to consistency with other cross-cultural studies Hofstede’s cultural dimensions are used as foundation. The discussion correlates the results to the extent that they are deemed appropriate. Hall’s low and high context models supplement the discussion, where applicable, to further explain issues relative to perception and communication. The dialogue is rich in the knowledge of Japanese methodologies of quality and overall management practice known in this case as the Toyota Production System. Data from the survey show that both Czech and Japanese employees have similar values related to work and neither job satisfaction nor number of confl icts is connected with TPS training. The manuscript concludes with both the list of existing research limitations that can be overcome in next studies, and an analysis of the need for further research within other crosscultural frameworks.

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