Beyond Mass Production: The Japanese System and Its Transfer to the U.S. [Hardcover]

Martin Kenney (Author), Richard Florida (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 21, 1993

Not long ago, American manufacturing was in sharp decline. The Big Three carmakers closed dozens of plants, mostly in Michigan and other surrounding states, eliminating more than 250,000 jobs. Another quarter of a million workers lost their jobs in related industries. Now United States manufacturing is making a comeback--thanks, in part, to the transplanting of Japanese corporations of over 25 billion dollars worth of heavy industry and 100,000 jobs. The Japanese companies are making long-term commitments where United States business leaders had seemed to give up hope. The success of these ventures is the result of the sweeping revolution in the organization of technology, work, and production that lies at the heart of the Japanese model of production. This book explores the rise of this Japanese model and provides a detailed examination of the processes which have brought about its transfer to the United States. It presents new and original data on the extent of Japanese investment in both United States heavy industry and high technology and provides an empirically-grounded discussion of the reasons why this has occurred. The authors focus on the transfer of basic elements of Japanese production organization and develop a broad conceptual theme contrasting the Japanese model of production organization with that of United States Fordism. With a wealth of illustrations and straightforward examples, this work will appeal to those interested in urban and regional economics, industrial organization, labor relations, and economic geography.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Perhaps the most comprehensive examination of how Japanese industrial practices are being transferred to other locations...Beyond Mass Production makes a valuable contribution to researchers, strategists, and policymakers by describing new forms of organization that are relevant in many national contexts and are providing a base from which to ask new questions concerning the evolution of new forms of organization and the adaptation of established firms."--Academy of Management Review

"An exceedingly good book and a vital contribution to the debates over the changing face of industry and the global economomy in the late twentieth century....A complete and mature work that is full of new insights."--Economic Geography

"A book for managers, policy makers, strategists, anyone interested in the development of manufacturing and all those who resist change. Should be read from cover to cover and then passed on."--Manufacturing Engineer

"Kenney and Florida provide an inside look at the Japanese automobile, steel, and rubber companies that are operating in the US. Based on five years of research, the book takes us inside the plants and illustrates the methods the Japanese companies utilize to achieve world-class products with an American labor force....Recommended for operations management professionals, scholars and students, and others interested in the operation of Japanese-owned manufacturing plants in the US."--Choice

"The subject matter should be of interest to every manufacturing engineer and the book is well researched."--Manufacturing Engineer

About the Author

Martin Kenney is at University of California, Davis. Richard Florida is at Carnegie-Mellon University.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 432 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (January 21, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195071107
• ISBN-13: 978-0195071108
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,053,508 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)