The Toyota Production System (TPS) was developed by the Japanese in the 1950’s and became the foundation for Just-in-Time (JIT). By 1970, JIT was being used by most factories in Japan. In the 1980’s JIT was introduced into the USA. Currently, JIT and lean production concepts are widely used and accepted practices.
These three strategies - TPS, JIT and lean operations - have the following distinctions (Heizer, J. and Render, B., p. 642):
1) JIT emphasizes forced problem solving.
2) TPS emphasizes employee learning and empowerment.
3) Lean operations emphasize understanding the customer.
Using your textbook as a guide and using the Online Library, select one of these three strategies above to research. Summarize your research findings to include the following information:
- Illustrate your overall comprehension of the strategy you chose to research.
- Identify and describe ONE component of this strategy and elaborate upon this component.
- What effect does this strategy have on quality?
- Provide one example of organizations that use this strategy.
- Include your own opinions and conclusions about this strategy and how it might be applicable to your place of employment/industry/career path.
- Cite your sources, using APA format.