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World
Class Manufacturing originated with Richard J.
Schonberger. Schonberger a professor who studied the
then-peculiar approach of some Japanese manufacturers.
His
original book, "Japanese Manufacturing
Techniques" was published in 1982. It was based on
his studies of the Kawasaki motorcycle plant in Lincoln,
Nebraska. This book was a major contribution to the literature
of the time.
In
1986, Schonberger wrote "World Class
Manufacturing" to extend and universalize the
concepts. The basis of these ideas was still the Toyota
Production System.
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The
Market for Lean Buzzwords
Authors
and consultants invent many buzzwords to describe the
body of knowledge widely known as "Lean
Manufacturing." Those who attempt to put Lean
into practice also search for appropriate terms.
Buzzwords
can describe, inspire and convey an understanding of
complex phenomena. They can also confuse, lend
grandiosity or brand mundane ideas like laundry soap
(New!, Improved!, More Whitening Ingredients!).
There
is a vast market for buzzwords fueled by both supply and
demand. The users of an individual buzzword must
judge its worth. |
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