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5. Case: Toyotas Kaizen Experience

Question (a)
The answer is required to cover a brief description of the concept of Kaizen,
and a detailed explanation of how Kaizen can be useful to organizations in
improving their operational efficiency and competitive edge, drawing from
the experience of Toyota.
The answer briefly describes the concept of Kaizen, and explains how
Kaizen approach focused on eliminating waste, increasing productivity and
on continual improvement. The answer briefly discusses the importance of
continuous improvement and team work in the Kaizen system.
The answer briefly explains the Kaizen approach and method in general
terms, without sharing the experience of Toyota and how it helped Toyota in
improving its operational efficiency and competitive edge. Apparently, the
answer is not well-focused on what is sought in the question.
Question (b)
The answer is required to cover a detailed explanation of Kaizen costing for
cost reduction, a discussion on how a labor crisis had arisen in Toyota, and
an examination of what steps an organization should take to avoid such
problems.
The answer states that Kaizen was focused on increasing productivity, and if
the workers were continuously committed to increase their productivity by
Kaizen, they would always be under stress, and might face the risk of losing
their job. The answer suggests some changes in the use of Kaizen to ensure
against labor crisis, such as segmentation of functional areas, empowering
workers, on the job training, changes in work-loading etc.
The answer has not brought out clearly and adequately Kaizen costing for
cost reduction, and how a labor crisis had arisen in Toyota. The answer
should have also explained what specific steps Toyota had taken to mitigate
the hardship caused to workers. Overall, the answer is not comprehensive
enough.