A perspective on quality activities in American firms

Article Abstract:

Dr. Kano reviews the progress of the American quality movement as seen through his experiences with American companies over the last fifteen years. He identifies the movement's strengths and weaknesses and compares its development to that of the Japanese quality movement. In particular, he elaborates the appeal of management by policy (hoshin kanri) to Americans and describes the specific characteristics of its development in American firms. Overall, although progress may be described as slow and uneven, he finds considerable cause for optimism about the progress of selected American firms and industries. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)

Quality management

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The American corporation and its new relationships

Article Abstract:

The pressures of global competition are forcing radical changes on American corporations. Taken together, these changes constitute a radically different pattern of relationships with competitors, suppliers, and government. In place of adversarial, short-term, contractual, and rigid relationships are ones which are more cooperative, intimate, long-term, consensual, and flexible. The transition is shocking to many managers who find it hard to adjust old assumptions to conform to the new reality. The authors present ways to effectively manage the transition to new relationships for competitiveness. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)

Planning, Organizational change

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Critical success factors for total quality management implementation in small and medium enterprises

Article Abstract:

Critical success factors (CSFs) for implementation of total quality management (TQM) are discussed, with applications to small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Previous CSF studies have been examined, and a set of 10 factors for SMEs has been proposed, from which a questionnaire has been developed and a pilot study has been conducted.

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