ABSTRACT
The major characteristics of the Toyota System of Production, the closest model to the ideal type of lean production, are most prominently displayed in the Toyota and Honda Corporations. The automaker that held the number one spot in global vehicle sales for four years in a row can trace its origins back to the textile industry. Through participant observation and interviews, sociologist Terry Besser described how the Toyota Way was implemented in the largest Toyota factory in the world in Georgetown, KY, which opened production in 1988. Quality and safety are one of the company’s most strategic priorities. Regarding the relations between employees, open communication and trust are the cornerstone to creating harmonious workplaces. Whereas armies of engineers, managers, consultants, and academics teach and preach the value of the Toyota System of Production and lean systems in general, the Honda Way is shrouded in mystery.
