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The Toyota Way
Book

The Toyota Way

14 Management Principles from the World's Greatest Manufacturer

Jeffrey K. Liker
McGraw-Hill, 2003

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Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Applicable
  • Background
  • Concrete Examples

Recommendation

This book is like a Toyota vehicle: not necessarily fancy, but extraordinarily capable of getting you from point “A” to point “B.” Jeffrey K. Liker’s thorough insight into the continual improvement method known as “The Toyota Way” reflects his experience with the Toyota Production System (TPS) and his knowledge of its philosophies and its technical applications. Toyota’s success as the world’s most profitable automaker is no accident and now, thanks to this book, it’s no mystery, either. Liker drills down to the principles and behaviors of the Toyota Way. His straightforward book, which reflects years of studying Toyota’s philosophy, will be of service to anyone striving to improve operational efficiency.

Take-Aways

  • The key concept in Toyota’s production method is kaizen, a continual drive to improve.
  • Toyota’s success is due to the Toyota Production System, which emphasizes lean production.
  • TPS is a cultural way, a path and a commitment, not a set of tools to apply to a problem.

About the Author

Jeffrey K. Liker is cofounder and director of the Japan Technology Management Program at the University of Michigan, where he is also a professor of industrial and operations engineering. He has won four Shingo Prizes for excellence, and has written extensively on Toyota in various management journals. Dr. Liker is also a principal of Optiprise, a lean enterprise/supply chain management consulting firm.

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