U.S-Japan Cooperative Science: Research on Strategic Cycle Time of World Class Manufacturing Companies

9707862 Schroeder This award supports a two-year collaborative research project between Professor Roger Schroeder of the University of Minnesota and Professor Michiya Morita of Gakushuin University in Japan. The researchers will undertake a study on the effect of development cycle time and production cycle time on manufacturing effectiveness in both the U.S. and Japan. Additionally, they will study the effect of manufacturing strategy and quality in the two countries on the resulting cycle time. Reduction of cycle time and the associated manufacturing strategy has been an important objective of companies in both countries. They will attempt to determine: 1) why similarities and differences exist; 2) how cycle time reduction facilitates competition and cooperation among firms; and 3) how quality and cycle time are interrelated. The researchers will visit factories in the U.S. and Japan to develop case studies in order to extract theoretical propositions and implications. This collaboration consists of researchers who are very knowledgeable in their field and will be invaluable to each other in gaining access to the companies they plan to survey. This research has significance to industry because it will suggest the best practices for maximizing plant performance, using a broad set of performance criteria. It is important to academia because it will advance knowledge by using multiple theories and multiple disciplines to address a question of trade-offs, which have not been effectively addressed by previous research. Through the exchange of ideas and technology, this project will broaden our base of basic knowledge and promote international understanding and cooperation. ***