Beyond Mass Production

The Japanese System and its Transfer to the US

Martin Kenney and Richard Florida

Beyond Mass Production

The Japanese System and its Transfer to the US

Martin Kenney and Richard Florida

Description

During the 1980s and continuing into the 1990s, more than 1,000 Japanese firms established `transplant' manufacturing operations in the US. Many of these have been in mature industries like steel and automobiles, but many have also been in high technology industries as well. 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 the Japanese model and provides a detailed examination of the processes which have brought about its transfer to the US. It presents new and original data on the extent of Japanese investment in both US heavy industry and high technology.

It suggests that Japanese capitalism has developed a new world-class standard of production organization which is transferable and is in the process of being transferred to other advanced industrial nations.

Beyond Mass Production

The Japanese System and its Transfer to the US

Martin Kenney and Richard Florida

Author Information

Martin Kenney, Associate Professor, Department of Behavioral Science, University of California, Davis, and Richard Florida, Associate Professor of Management and Public Policy, School of Urban Affairs, Carnegie-Mellon University

Beyond Mass Production

The Japanese System and its Transfer to the US

Martin Kenney and Richard Florida

Reviews and Awards

'useful compendium' Martin Dicks, Financial Times' -

`the subject matter should be of interest to every manufacturing engineer and the book is well researched ... 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 -

`The authors carried out detailed research in Japan and the United States through site visits, interviews and questionnaires. The text is enlivened by extracts from their interviews with workers and managers ... This book makes an important contribution to the question of why Japanese industry has been so successful.' Times Higher Education Supplement -

`Undoubtedly, this book is an important milestone in recent research on the history and diffusion of innovations in manufacturing. The often provocative discussion throughout the book should prove a delight to general readers ... Kenney and Florida deserve congratulations and thanks from all stripes of readers for this eminently readable book based on sound, painstaking research.' Journal of Asian Studies -

`Beyond Mass Production is likely to become a key text for discussing the impact of Japanese transplants on the way work is organised in the US and elsewhere ... sectoral breadth makes the book unique ... It is admirable that the authors are so scrupulous with methods ... the book is provocative and well informed.' Work, Employment and Society -

`Beyond Mass Production is likely to become a key text for discussing the impact of Japanese transplants on the way work is organised in the US and elsewhere ... This sectoral breadth makes the book unique ... The book is provocative and well informed.' Work, Employment and Society -

`an important and informative book ... Based on extensive survey research, they present the most detailed picture to date of what is going on in these plants ... fascinating to read' Business History -