Kaizen: The Japanese Advantage
Abstract
The United States has held the position as the leader in the
global economy for nearly a century. However, it is quickly losing
ground as the Japanese succeed in producing high quality products
efficiently and with greater cost savings than their American
counterparts. The Japanese have made great strides in the
electronics and steel industries as well as significantly altered the
automobile industry.
Americans became complacent about retaining their global
lead and Japan has steadily gained on and even surpassed U.S.
companies in many cases. Much of the Japanese success can be
attributed to their management philosophy, a modification of some
American management practices. After World War II, many Japanese
corporations sent managers to the U.S. in order to make observations
of American management techniques and bring improved versions of
these back to Japan. Some American practices were also
implemented in Japan while Americans occupied the country after
the war.
The Japanese management philosophy, Kaizen, combines a
strong emphasis on continuous change and improvement in the
company which results in high quality and efficient production.
Americans can learn much from these Japanese practices. They will
need to make some significant changes if they would like to continue
as the global economic leader. In making these changes the Japanese
can serve as models for American companies.