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AN EMPIRICAL EXAMINATION OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF JAPANESE JUST-IN-TIME PURCHASING PRACTICES AND ITS IMPACT ON PRODUCT QUALITY AND PRODUCTIVITY IN U.S. FIRMS (UNITED STATES)
Abstract
In the early 1950s, a production system emerged in Japanese manufacturing firms which substantially contributed to Japan's high product quality and productivity. One of the distinct features of this system was just-in-time (JIT) purchasing. A growing number of U.S. firms are implementing the concept of JIT purchasing. This research examines the impact of JIT purchasing in American firms. This research proposes that a set of critical organizational variables which are necessary for a successful implementation of JIT purchasing in U.S. companies can be identified. The primary research tasks are: (1) to delineate these critical variables; (2) to discern the real benefits of JIT purchasing compared with traditional U.S. purchasing practices; and (3) to identify the problems that U.S. companies typically encounter in implementing JIT purchasing. The major objective is to develop a descriptive model to test the proposition that implementation of JIT purchasing practices can improve product quality and productivity in U.S. companies. This research utilizes a cross sectional field survey of a broad industrial spectrum of U.S. companies that have implemented the concept of JIT purchasing. Three data collection methodologies are employed. First, a questionnaire is sent to managerial personnel of more than 50 U.S. companies that have implemented JIT purchasing. Second, in-depth interviews are conducted with the managerial staffs of four U.S. companies generally regarded as the leaders in the JIT purchasing area. Third, documents are collected from companies and professional associations concerning the JIT movement in the U.S. The findings provide a clear pattern for a JIT purchasing activity model in U.S. companies. Research findings support three conclusions. First, the JIT purchasing philosophy can be implemented successfully in U.S. companies, given sufficient time, resources, support, management commitment, and leadership. Second, the resultant benefits of JIT purchasing implementation are substantially greater than those of traditional U.S. purchasing practices. Third, the activities of JIT purchasing can improve product quality and productivity.
Subject Area
Management
Recommended Citation
ANSARI, ABDOLHOSSEIN, "AN EMPIRICAL EXAMINATION OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF JAPANESE JUST-IN-TIME PURCHASING PRACTICES AND ITS IMPACT ON PRODUCT QUALITY AND PRODUCTIVITY IN U.S. FIRMS (UNITED STATES)" (1984). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI8509853.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI8509853