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How Toyota Turns Workers into Problem Solversmusicrush.com/alexrobert/blog/82345/how-toyota-turns-workers-into-problem-solvers

The article reflects several factors which are core

to the quality products of Toyota. The quality of

Toyota car has been maintained for several years,

and Toyota is continuously trying to improve it

further. The underlying question is that despite

the openness of Toyota about its processes, no

other company has yet attained the same level of

efficiency and effectiveness par with Toyota. To

highlight some of the reasons behind this

question, the HBS Professor, Steven Spear did

thorough research on Toyota. The HBS

Knowledge Staffer, Sarah Jane ask some

questions to Steven about his research on Toyota.

Sarah was interested in knowing that why Steven

researched Toyota despite the already published

material about Toyota.

Steven said that the published research was about

some of the factors which make Toyota great.

However, there are several factors that are new to

him such as the production processes, low-cost leadership, and quality management.

Steven said that he visited the ongoing processes of Toyota and he also met some of their

people. Steven observed that the processes at Toyota are a result of the combined efforts

of the workers. Therefore, the whole system of Toyota is based on his workers who put

their efforts to get precision and quality in products and processes. Steven also

highlighted the testing process of Toyota. He told that Toyota is highly concerned about

the testing of its designs. On the other hand, the designers also know that they need to

test the design repeatedly before an outcome.

Steven further told that the same set of rules are applied to the production and delivery

processes. The systems and processes of Toyota are self-reflective. Therefore, every

person attached to a certain process or system can give his input or recommendation for

improving the quality of products. The workers at Toyota are allowed to make several

attempts for achieving perfection in every phase of product development such as the

design and the assembling. Steven also emphasized the problem-solving approach of

Toyota. He told that the same approach of Toyota is transferred to its suppliers and

distributors. Toyota teaches its people to solve problems with problem-solving skills.

These skills are developed in the workers with the gradual process of development.

Steven told that some workers are also frustrated about their learning of problem-solving

skills at Toyota. They were of the view that after the development of these skills, they

could see problems at minor levels too. This process is frustrating due to a large number

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of tests. However, this factor fosters efficiency. Steven also highlighted the role of

managers in managing their teams. The managers at Toyota are engaged in several tasks

which are vital to supervise and lead the employees. Sarah also asked that whether the

findings of Steven had helped him to start new research. Steven replied that after

observing the effective problem-solving skills at Toyota, he was able to broaden his

research in other industries such as the health industry[CITATION Sar01 \l 1033].

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References

Johnston, S. J. (2001, 11 26). How Toyota Turns Workers Into Problem Solvers.

Retrieved from Harvard Business Review: https://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/how-toyota-

turns-workers-into-problem-solver