If Japan Can...Why Can't We?

Studies the problems of American productivity by comparing Japanese and American systems. At one time Japanese goods were cheap imitations and poor quality, but today they make original products of high quality and reliability in a country with few natural resources, depending heavily on the nature of their work force and complete quality control over the production process. American productivity suffers from the declines in innovation, spending on research and development, and capital investment. Asserts that mandated social programs have used up capital funds, leaving too little for improving plants and machines, and that the effort to eliminate discrimination from the workplace has introduced untrained employees. Profiles Dr. W. Edwards Deming, who has played a central role in teaching the Japanese new production methods.