An Action Research on the Introduction and Legitimization of Toilet Cleaning Activities in One Japanese Company

Although the importance of cleaning and toilet cleaning has been practically pointed out for a long time in Japan, the relationship between cleaning and corporate management has never been academically examined in Japan, let alone in other countries. In this study, through several years of action research, we present the process of introducing and continuing toilet-cleaning activities in one Japanese company. We clarify how the practice of cleaning toilets, which has a long history for many Japanese companies, but is a new practice for this company, is socialized within the organization. In particular, we clarify how the practice of toilet cleaning shakes organizations and people, and how the practice is legitimized within the organization. We will then explore how the results of the survey and the findings of the survey can be positioned academically. Specifically, we will examine whether toilet-cleaning activities can be positioned as a social practice in the context of management studies based on practice theories. In addition, in the context of organizational change theory, we will examine whether toilet cleaning activities can be positioned as a starting point for organizational innovation. We then aim to present the academic implications for practice-based management studies and organizational change theory.