Title: Continuous progressive improvement: new industrial strategy and culture

Authors: R. Bertodo

Addresses: Managing Director, Rover Group (Rover Italia S.p.A.), Via Fiume Giallo, 3-00144, Roma-Eur Torrino, Italy

Abstract: Automotive manufacturing is both the largest industrial activity in the world and the arbiter of social values, management trends and work ethics. Its experience has a direct impact on the morals of all other businesses. Throughout the past decade, Western car companies have striven to contain aggressive Japanese activities, with limited success. The present paper outlines a long-term programme, initiated in 1979, aimed at blending Western and Japanese activities and methods so as to forge a new competitive dimension. Application of this approach is described. The difficulties encountered and results obtained are enumerated, and future progress is signposted.

Keywords: change of ethos; process change; continuous improvement; continuous innovation; customer needs; extended organisations; helix of success; zero-defects suppliers; organograms; quality expectations; Rover Group; corporate strategy; automotive manufacturing; automobile industry.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.1993.061840

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 1993 Vol.14 No.4, pp.291 - 307

Published online: 28 May 2014 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article