Hardback
BEYOND QUALITY
An Agenda for Improving Manufacturing Capabilities in Developing Countries
9781858981208 Edward Elgar Publishing
Global manufacturing has been altered by the emergence of a new approach to production which differs radically from the principles of mass production. This approach has been characterised by successful manufacturers in Asia and the West who have engaged in a continuous process to improve quality, process productivity and cost performance. The authors of Beyond Quality argue that many of the methods used by these new firms are equally suitable for manufacturers in developing countries and the transition economies of eastern and Central Europe.
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Critical Acclaim
Contents
More Information
Global manufacturing has been altered by the emergence of a new approach to production which differs radically from the principles of mass production. This approach has been characterised by successful manufacturers in Asia and the West who have engaged in a continuous process to improve quality, process productivity and cost performance. The authors of Beyond Quality argue that many of the methods used by these new firms are equally suitable for manufacturers in developing countries and the transition economies of eastern and Central Europe.
Using case study material from Latin America, Africa and Central Europe, the authors demonstrate that it is the skill and organization of people – rather than sophisticated equipment – which determines growth in productivity and product quality. These new forms of improvement are not dependent on economies of scale and so provide small producers with the flexibility to compete effectively against mass producers.
Using case study material from Latin America, Africa and Central Europe, the authors demonstrate that it is the skill and organization of people – rather than sophisticated equipment – which determines growth in productivity and product quality. These new forms of improvement are not dependent on economies of scale and so provide small producers with the flexibility to compete effectively against mass producers.
Critical Acclaim
‘Forty years ago W. Edward S. Deming helped to launch the world’s first widespread application of quality control in Japan. The modern-day equivalents of those methods are now practised by successful firms and managers throughout the industrialised world. Beyond Quality will help the developing countries to do the same. It will be essential reading for those who hope to master methods of continuous improvement and the related statistical techniques. Using technologies such as these, manufacturers in developing countries will be able to improve labour productivity, upgrade methods of enterprise management and promote the goals of economic development.’
– Junji Noguchi, Managing Director of the Union of Japanese Scientists and Engineers (JUSE)
‘This book. . . . is useful for general awareness of tools and pratices used in the management of continuous improvement and innovation in firms in the developing countries.’
– V. P. Kharbanda, Journal of Science and Industrial Resources
‘I have much enjoyed reading Beyond Quality. I have used many of the concepts and quality improvement tools from the book in a recent training session that I gave at a factory in Vietnam. I would like to offer you my warm congratulations on providing such a useful and pragmatic text on continuous improvement. . .’
– Mervyn L. Hamer, Technical Director, Programme for Appropriate Technology in Health
– Junji Noguchi, Managing Director of the Union of Japanese Scientists and Engineers (JUSE)
‘This book. . . . is useful for general awareness of tools and pratices used in the management of continuous improvement and innovation in firms in the developing countries.’
– V. P. Kharbanda, Journal of Science and Industrial Resources
‘I have much enjoyed reading Beyond Quality. I have used many of the concepts and quality improvement tools from the book in a recent training session that I gave at a factory in Vietnam. I would like to offer you my warm congratulations on providing such a useful and pragmatic text on continuous improvement. . .’
– Mervyn L. Hamer, Technical Director, Programme for Appropriate Technology in Health
Contents
Contents: 1. Continuous Improvement in Changing Markets 2. Continuous Improvement Technologies for Developing Countries 3. Organizational Structures and Information Flows 4. Working Tools of Continuous Improvement 5. The Statistical Tools 6. Continuous Improvement in Action 7. Problems and Prospects Appendix: A Closer Look at the Statistical Tools
