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.