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| | |  | |  | | | The Machine That Changed the World : Based on the Massachusetts Institute of Technology 5-Million-Dollar 5-Year Study on the Future of the Automobile | | SKU:
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Usually ships in 1 business days | | | This provocative and highly readable book summarizes five years of research by the International Motor Vehicle Program (IMVP) at MIT into the role of the autmobile industry in the world economy. The authors, all directors of the IMVP, recommend that Western automobile makers adopt the concept of lean production in all phases of automobile production. A thorough and persuasive explanation of the benefits of lean production, along with numerous examples, mainly from Japanese industry, support their recommendations. This important book offers informed insight into the auto industry; for all public and academic libraries.
- Joseph Barth, U.S. Military Acad. Lib., West Point, N.Y.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. | | | |
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| | Product Details | | Author: | James P. Womack | | Hardcover: | 336 pages | | Publisher: | Scribner | | Publication Date: | October 10, 1990 | | ISBN: | 0892563508 | | Package Length: | 9.3 inches | | Package Width: | 6.2 inches | | Package Height: | 1.3 inches | | Package Weight: | 1.15 pounds | | Average Customer Rating: |  based on 10 reviews |
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 Excellent book, but dated and perhaps a little too fawning Jan 23, 2007
The title sets the tone the authors carry throughout the book. A little too much glorifying. A little too much hype. Yes, what Toyota and others did was impressive. But no, they did not change the world. In my opinion, not even close.
And this book is dated. In fact, though written in the early '90s, it reads more like many of the books written about Japanese management in the early '80s. Books like "Japan As Number One." Or "Trading Places." At the time, the Japanese were thought to be able to do no wrong.
Now, of course, we know that Japanese executives and managers are mere mortals too. Toyota has certainly done better than most Japanese companies over the last 15 years. And part of the reason -- a big part probably -- has been the effectiveness of their management in areas like lean production. But even without the benefit of the hindsight we now have, the authors of this book should have realized that their unstinted praise was not warranted. Even for the brains behind Toyota.
Still, this book is the best I have found on the history of the "Industry of Industries." It traces the history of the automobile industry from craft production to mass production to lean production. No other book I have read has done that so well.
And for an academic book, The Machine That Changed the World is easy to read. It keeps a careful balance between informing the reader and keeping the reader's interest. Most writers, particularly of works like this, tilt too much one way or the other. Either too dry and pedantic or too light and entertaining. A happy medium is hard to achieve.
Where does the auto industry go from here? Lean production is no longer exceptional. It has become the rule. But it seems to have run its course.
The future of the automobile industry may lie in "collaborative production." Major automakers concentrate on sales and service, not production. Suppliers develop specialized skills in technologies from hybrid power trains to drive-by-wire control systems. And everyone sells to everyone else. Technology becomes less important than brand.
If that is the case, Toyota may still lead the pack. In Business Week's list of the top 100 global brands, Toyota leads all carmakers at number 7. No one has caught Toyota napping on the increasing importance of brand.
Even so, Toyota fiercely defends the idea that is a motor company, not a sales company. Innovative technology and excellent manufacturing have been much more of a focus than sales. Will it be able to adapt if the industry does change?
An interesting question that we should see answered in the next few years. Like many good history books, The Machine That Changed the World gives us hints as to what that future will be.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 The evolution of the business world Jan 11, 2006
A visiting professor recommended this book when I asked him about the LEAN philosophy. What is great about this book is how it introduces the birth of not only the LEAN concept, but also the MASS PRODUCTION which preceded and still dominates the world of manufacturing. With its timeline based structure, this book shows how and why the complex automotive industry is changing to LEAN. All other industries tend to follow...
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Understanting the Toyota Way Feb 22, 2004
Since the beginning of the 50's, Toyota has been a making a revolution in the way corporation works. A real unique approach named lean has been allowing the company to achieve superior performance concurrently in manufacturing, product development and suppliers management. The Machine brings to the reader a wide explanation of "Toyota Way". If you are looking for a book about Lean and you'd like to understand Toyota, it certainly should be your first choice!
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
The beauty of thinking Nov 18, 2003
This book should be read by every business student. It is a perfect summary of 20th century's industrial development.
This book also provides a perfect insight to large scale academic programs and reseachs. Every student reading this book will gain much more than taking 2 or 3 courses in an MBA program. This book has much to offer than any of the books that I have read. It makes you think and then gives the answers and at the end it presents with you issues to think further.
7 of 8 found the following review helpful:
Mistake Jun 19, 2002
The Machine that Changed the World has been published more than once. Amazon, you're offering a special "buy these 2 titles, and save", but they are the exact same book.
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