An Analysis of Japan’s Quality Movement from the Meiji Period until the Present Day: A Synthesized Perspective

Abstract

Manuscript type: Research paper Research aims: This paper has a tri-fold purpose. First, we seek to establish whether Japan's focus on quality manufacturing was a conscious choice. Second, we attempt to analyse the impact of the external environment on the success/failure of quality upgrading. Third, we investigate whether Japanese businesses, regardless of the shifts in the competitive environment in the last two decades, continue to explore quality management as a strategic weapon for competitiveness. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study is based on a systematic literature review using two of the main scientific databases-JSTOR and Emerald. The scientific papers used for this synthesis-over sixty manuscripts in total-have (predominantly) focused on the quality movement in Japan at a national/country level. These are peerreviewed articles published between 1980 and 2018 that go beyond the field of operations/quality management. Research findings: We show that Japan's focus on quality upgrading was a conscious choice that sought to elevate the country's economy.