The Myth of Japanese Efficiency

Book excerpt: Combining case studies with accessible but rigorous production models and historical background, this book challenges accepted views on Japanese production methods in the world car industry. The Myth of Japanese Efficiency casts a familiar debate in an unfamiliar light. It will strongly appeal to management and business strategy academics, political economists and industrial sociologists interested in the debate on Fordist versus 'post-Fordist' production methods/'lean and flexible' manufacture and Japanese post-war success in the world market for manufactured goods. Human resource management specialists interested in best production practice will also find much to interest them within this book.