Contrary to the explanations offered by the theory of non-reflexive, path-dependent institutionalism, the U.S. and the German automotive industries undertook strikingly similar patterns of industry modification under tough international competition during the 1990s, departing from their traditional national patterns. By investigating the processes of the U.S. and German adjustments, the author critically reconsiders the prevalent paradigms of political economy and comes to the conclusion that the evidence does not confirm the neoliberal paradigm. In order to better account for the recomposition of new market relations, which the author terms "converging but non-liberal" and "diverging but not predetermined" markets, he proposes an alternative model of "politics among reflexive agents," emphasizing different kinds of problem-solving practices among those reflexive agents. He argues that different forms and regimes of market are established in the process of recomposition, in which agents reflect upon not only market rationality but also upon their own institutions, creating new norms.

Praise from "Industry Week," January 2003
,,"."In Henry Ford's Lean Vision...Levinson shows how the father of American mass production toiled to eliminate waste, instituted just-in-time delivery of inventory, and applied many other tools now identified with lean...""

Japanese manufacturers have made concepts like "kaizen" (continuous improvement), "poka-yoke" (error-proofing), and "just-in-time" famous. When the Japanese began to adopt these techniques from the Ford Motor Company during the early twentieth century, they knew exactly what they were getting: "proven methods for mass-producing any product or delivering any service cheaply but well."

Henry Ford's methods, however, went well beyond the synergistic and mutually supporting techniques that constitute what we now call lean manufacturing. They included the "soft sciences," the organizational psychology that makes every employee a partner in the drive for success.

In "Henry Ford's Lean Vision," William A. Levinson draws from Henry Ford's writings, the procedures in his factories, and historical anecdotes about the birth of lean in Japan to show that the philosophy that revolutionized Japanese manufacturing was the same philosophy that grew the Ford Motor Company into a global powerhouse -- and made the United States the wealthiest and most powerful nation on earth. Levinson reveals how Ford was ahead of other modern visionaries and discusses why the very ideas that made his company such a success were abandoned in his own country, and why they finally found acceptance in Japan.

"Henry Ford's Lean Vision" is a hands-on reference that provides the reader with proven principles and methods that can be applied in anybusiness or service enterprise. It covers all aspects of building and running a successful enterprise, including Ford's principles for human relationships and the management of physical resources.

This title was first published in 2001. The emergence and development of automobile production in Australia was a long, drawn out and costly business for car buyers and taxpayers. Wheels and Deals, is the story of some of the causes and effects of Australian Government policies on the local development of one of the most significant industries of the 20th century.

Many argue that the sole viable future for the automobile industry - indeed for all industry - is the adoption of `lean production' as an organizational model. One Best Way? brings together the research of academic specialists in the automobile industry who have analysed the evolution of 15 major Asian, North American, and European companies in terms of their technological, organizational, commercial and social `trajectories'. They look closely at the evidence for `one best way' and argue that it is more useful to assess the distinctive challenges and `trajectories' that companies have pursued as they try to optimize their profit-making capacities. The book present detailed descriptions of the major producers around the world in three sections: Asia: Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Mitsubishi, Hyundai North America: General Motors, Ford, Chrysler Europe: Peugeot, Renault, Rover, Mercedes, Volvo, Lada The book will be essential reading and reference for academics, researchers, and analysts worldwide wanting to track the course of the automobile industry and assess the merits of `lean production'.

Car Safety Wars is a gripping history of the hundred-year struggle to improve the safety of American automobiles and save lives on the highways. Described as the "equivalent of war" by the Supreme Court, the battle involved the automobile industry, unsung and long-forgotten safety heroes, at least six US Presidents, a reluctant Congress, new auto technologies, and, most of all, the mindset of the American public: would they demand and be willing to pay for safer cars? The "Car Safety Wars" were at first won by consumers and safety advocates. The major victory was the enactment in 1966 of a ground breaking federal safety law. The safety act was pushed through Congress over the bitter objections of car manufacturers by a major scandal involving General Motors, its private detectives, Ralph Nader, and a gutty cigar-chomping old politician. The act is a success story for government safety regulation. It has cut highway death and injury rates by over seventy percent in the years since its enactment, saving more than two million lives and billions of taxpayer dollars. But the car safety wars have never ended. GM has recently been charged with covering up deadly defects resulting in multiple ignition switch shut offs. Toyota has been fined for not reporting fatal unintended acceleration in many models. Honda and other companies have-for years-sold cars incorporating defective air bags. These current events, suggesting a failure of safety regulation, may serve to warn us that safety laws and agencies created with good intentions can be corrupted and strangled over time. This book suggests ways to avoid this result, but shows that safer cars and highways are a hard road to travel. We are only part of the way home.

This work examines the responses of unions and workers to regional integration and restructuring in the automobile industry in North and Central America. The focus is on the automobile industry in Mexico, which, because of its size and importance, is viewed as a strategic sector of the Mexican economy and was the focal point of talks between the US, Canada and Mexico during negotiations on NAFTA. Focusing on the period from 1980, John P. Tuman examines the changes implemented by firms to promote export production, he explores reasons for the variation in labour responses to restructuring, and he discusses the prospects for cross-border organizing and co-operation among automobile workers in Canada, the US and Mexico.

The decline of the British motor industry is one of the most spectacular developments in Britain's economic history. Conflicting explanations have been offered by scholars from different disciplines to produce a complex debate, which this 1995 study attempts to unravel. Placing the industry firmly in a European context, Roy Church re-examines the critical assessment of the achievements of the industry both before and after the onset of its decline in the 1960s, and goes on to test the various explanations which have been offered to account for this decline. He examines the role of government, of the trade unions, of management and of the multinationals, each of which has been seen as a major player in the demise of the British-owned industry. This concise and lucid review of the debate will be invaluable to students of modern British and European economic history.

Car Safety Wars is a gripping history of the hundred-year struggle to improve the safety of American automobiles and save lives on the highways. Described as the "equivalent of war" by the Supreme Court, the battle involved the automobile industry, unsung and long-forgotten safety heroes, at least six US Presidents, a reluctant Congress, new auto technologies, and, most of all, the mindset of the American public: would they demand and be willing to pay for safer cars? The "Car Safety Wars" were at first won by consumers and safety advocates. The major victory was the enactment in 1966 of a ground breaking federal safety law. The safety act was pushed through Congress over the bitter objections of car manufacturers by a major scandal involving General Motors, its private detectives, Ralph Nader, and a gutty cigar-chomping old politician. The act is a success story for government safety regulation. It has cut highway death and injury rates by over seventy percent in the years since its enactment, saving more than two million lives and billions of taxpayer dollars. But the car safety wars have never ended. GM has recently been charged with covering up deadly defects resulting in multiple ignition switch shut offs. Toyota has been fined for not reporting fatal unintended acceleration in many models. Honda and other companies have-for years-sold cars incorporating defective air bags. These current events, suggesting a failure of safety regulation, may serve to warn us that safety laws and agencies created with good intentions can be corrupted and strangled over time. This book suggests ways to avoid this result, but shows that safer cars and highways are a hard road to travel. We are only part of the way home.

This book offers a critical history of government policy toward the U.S. automobile industry in order to assess the impact of the large corporation on American democracy. Drawing together the main policy issues affecting the automobile industry over the past forty years--occupant safety, emissions, fuel economy and trade--the work examines how the industry established its hegemony over the public perception of vehicle safety to inhibit federal regulation, and the battle for federal regulation that succeeded in toppling this hegemony in 1966; the subsequent efforts to include pollution emissions and fuel economy under federal mandates in the 1970s; the industry's resurgence of influence in the 1980s; and the mixed pattern of influence in the 1990s.

How did Billy Durant come to exercise so broad an influence in the emerging auto industry? And why has he been virtually forgotten for decades?In search of answers to these questions, Lawrence Gustin turned to Durant's widow, who provided a wealth of previously unpublished material in the form of autobiographical notes, letters, and Durant's personal papers. In addition, Gustin interviewed Durant's widow, two of his personal secretaries, and others who had known and worked with the man who created General Motors.

* Focus on seven critical, fast-paced industries where innovation capability is essential * Written by two prominent thought leaders with 50 years of combined experience working with hundreds of companies across industries * Provides templates to immediately put the book's frameworks in place to develop an organization's innovation plan

This is the inside story of the workings of the MG Design and Development Office in Abingdon, from 1956 until MG's closure in 1980, as told by Chief Design & Development Engineer, Don Hayter. This book explains how the various models were conceived, drawn, planned and developed by a small team of engineers. It also shows how the constant evolution of BMC, including the Triumph-Austin merger, frequently changed input to, and control of, the department. Safety legislation, mainly imposed by the United States, could have killed MG, but detailed here are the design changes that allowed the MGB, and other models, to survive. Trying to remain as individual as possible, MG developed record-breakers and a unique Competition Department during the period covered by this book. Special cars were built and tested, and prototypes for the MGB replacement, using engines from any part of the group, were drawn up. The continuing support of the American market was essential and much valued, but holding company, British Leyland, prioritised the TR7 - a decision that, ultimately, led to the closure of a successful, happy MG company.

"Ford at Dagenham" is a fascinating record of car production techniques and processes at Ford as they have evolved over the years. This illustrated history gives a fascinating behind-the-scenes insight into the past and present of Ford's Dagenham factory, famous for producing some of Britain's favourite family cars - the Anglia, Cortina, Consul and Zephyr. A revealing record of the evolution of Ford in Britain, it offers an intimate portrait of the people who have worked at Dagenham and depended on it for their livelihood over the past 70 years. Burgess-Wise tells the story of the fluctuating fortunes of the company and provides a revealing account of the relationship between Dagenham and the American headquarters of Ford at Dearborn. His book is a fascinating record of car production techniques and processes at Ford as they have evolved over the years, and it offers an intimate portrait of the people who have worked at Dagenham, and depended on it for their livelihood, for generations.

First published in 1980, this book considers the British Motor industry over the period between 1945 and 1979, analysing the ways in which the industry suffered a considerable decline in the post-war era, when compared to motor industries of other countries or to most other British industries. Rather than blaming labour and management, as has frequently been the case, the author argues that the decline can be traced back to poor government policy. Tracing how, when and where government policies affected the industries the book examines policies clearly directed at the motor industry, such as transport legislation and motor taxation. In addition the work considers the consequences of many policies which were targeted only indirectly at the motor industry as the author argues that whilst government policy may have succeeded in its aim, e.g. improving employment for the balance of payments, the motor industry may have suffered as a consequence. Written in non-technical language, the reissue will be of interest to those concerned with post-war UK economic development, the UK motor industry in particular and the history of government policy in general.

Recent years have seen intense debates among management and academics on the rise of `lean production' and `Japanization'. This book examines in detail the actual practice of transfer and adaptation of productive models into the auto industry. Case studies cover in detail the Japanese transplant experience in North America, and the global experience of hybrid production systems in Europe, Latin America, and Asia.

This book examines the experiences of the globalizing Korean automobile industry, with particular focus on the Hyundai Motor Company (HMC), one of the most prominent of the new Korean multinational corporations. It provides an overview of the changing nature of the global automobile industry, before considering in depth the globalization processes that the Korean automobile industry has undertaken. Tracing the development of HMC as it recovered from the failure of its first venture overseas, in Canada, and tried again in India, the authors explore the similarities and differences between the practices which HMC implemented in India and Korea. They highlight the importance of production systems and employment relations as part of HMC's growth, and argue that if Korean companies such as HMC are to compete successfully as global automobile producers they will need to increase the proportion of overseas production, establish global supply chains and improve co-ordination between head office and subsidiaries. Based upon extensive fieldwork in India and Korea, this book is a detailed account of the globalization of the Korean automobile industry and Hyundai Motor Company. Its findings will be of importance to all those who seek to understand the challenges faced by firms that attempt to become global players.

Through developing an original analytical framework that, for the first time, systematically relates productive, market and financial variables, the authors are able to rewrite the history of the car business since Henry Ford.

Written by actual Toyota team members, One Team on All Levels: Stories from Toyota Team Members, Second Edition is not another technical explanation of the Toyota Production System (TPS). Rather, it illustrates the culture it creates. The stories, told by employees from various levels of the organization, illustrate how Toyota's presence in Kentucky has transformed the professional and personal lives of those who worked for the company. Demonstrates the culture created by the Toyota Production System Examines how the TPS principles and precepts serve as models for servant leadership Presents valuable insights from a wide range of Toyota team members-from hourly to management-level Shows how Toyota partnered with the city of Georgetown and its community Supplying a first-hand look at the principles that have transformed Toyota into one of the leading manufacturers in the world, the book includes chapters that address how this manufacturing giant was able to survive and improve in the midst of a down economy and recent recalls. The real-life stories supply an unprecedented look at how the Toyota precepts and the fourteen Toyota Way principles can help you improve morale, avoid layoffs, and create a culture of continuous improvement within your organization.

First published in 1980, this book considers the British motor industry over the period between 1945 and 1979, analysing the ways in which the industry suffered a considerable decline in the post-war era, when compared to motor industries of other countries or to most other British industries.

Rather than blaming labour and management, as has frequently been the case, the author argues that the decline can be traced back to poor government policy. Tracing how, when and where government policies affected the industry, the book examines policies clearly directed at the motor industry, such as transport legislation and motor taxation. In addition the work considers the consequences of many policies which were targeted only indirectly at the motor industry as the author argues that whilst government policy may have succeeded in its aim, e.g. improving employment for the balance of payments, the motor industry may have suffered as a consequence.

Written in non-technical language, the reissue will be of interest to those concerned with post-war UK economic development, the UK motor industry in particular and the history of government policy in general.

This book is one of the first critical analyses of the automobile industry in India. It studies the sector in general and the passenger car industry in particular, and provides valuable insights into the operation of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) companies in a technology-intensive industry under changing economic regimes. The volume underlines the influence of the changing nature of foreign investment, the impact of economic reforms, technology regimes and industrial policy on growth, structural changes and development. It offers a detailed account of the trade performance of manufacturers in India's passenger car industry. It also looks at successful cases to draw policy lessons towards encouraging quality FDI and developing India as a base for world production. A useful addition to industry studies in India, this book with its wide coverage and contemporary analyses will interest scholars and researchers of economics, Indian economy and industrial policy, industrial economics, automobile industry and manufacturing sector, development economics and international economics. It will also appeal to policymakers, practitioners and industrial associations.

This book explores the generation of technological knowledge and the introduction of technological change. Antonelli makes his mark in this new area of debate by arguing that increasing returns in the production of knowledge apply. By putting forward a general, interpretative framework, Antonelli enables understanding of the economic and institutional determinants of technological innovation.

This book examines the experiences of the globalizing Korean automobile industry, with particular focus on the Hyundai Motor Company (HMC), one of the most prominent of the new Korean multinational corporations. It provides an overview of the changing nature of the global automobile industry, before considering in depth the globalization processes that the Korean automobile industry has undertaken.

Tracing the development of HMC as it recovered from the failure of its first venture overseas, in Canada, and tried again in India, the authors explore the similarities and differences between the practices which HMC implemented in India and Korea. They highlight the importance of production systems and employment relations as part of HMC's growth, and argue that if Korean companies such as HMC are to compete successfully as global automobile producers they will need to increase the proportion of overseas production, establish global supply chains and improve co-ordination between head office and subsidiaries.

Based upon extensive fieldwork in India and Korea, this book is a detailed account of the globalization of the Korean automobile industry and Hyundai Motor Company. Its findings will be of importance to all those who seek to understand the challenges faced by firms that attempt to become global players.

This title was first published in 2001. The emergence and development of automobile production in Australia was a long, drawn out and costly business for car buyers and taxpayers. Wheels and Deals, is the story of some of the causes and effects of Australian Government policies on the local development of one of the most significant industries of the 20th century.

Japanese automobiles dominate the Southeast Asian car market and, although European automobile policies have for a long time been highly discriminatory towards Japanese imports, their production methods have been quickly implemented by European makers and suppliers. This study explains the various influences of the Japanese automobile industry on industrial development in both Southeast Asia and Europe. In Part I, contributors examine industrial organization and policy issues in Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia, looking at Japanese investment and the relative policy successes and failures in these host countries. Part II looks at skill formation systems in the Japanese dominated automobile industry in Southeast Asia and in Part III the authors focus on the EU and the very different influence of Japanese investment. These discussions suggest that Japanese assemblers by no means stick to restricted business relations with their traditional suppliers but are open to cooperation with non-Japanese firms.