A Preliminary Consideration of the Transition of the Implementation Method of Quality Management in Japanese Companies:

Focusing on the Automotive Industry

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to clarify how and why quality management in Japanese companies is evolving in the middle of drastic environmental changes. This study analyzed and discussed case studies of three Japanese companies in the automotive industry based on the result of interviews with people familiar with quality management in these companies and analysis of company-related documents, while mainly focusing on the implementation method of quality management. As a result, this paper drew two tentative conclusions. First, the interaction between the diversity, ambiguity and uncertainty of the quality standards required by consumers and customers, internal quality awareness (ostrich policy), and overly strict industry quality standards lead some Japanese companies to develop quality standards that are higher than those required by consumers and customers. Second, the interaction of the globalization of the business activities, the development of digital technology, and changes in the labor market require a shift in the implementation method of quality management from people to equipment utilizing digital technology. But factors such as the financial resources of the Japanese headquarters, the awareness and determination of managers, and the awareness and actionability of employees are impeding this.