Japanese manufacturing management technology transfer and adaptations in purchaser-vendor relationships

The dissertation describes the influence of the transfer of Japanese manufacturing management technology on the purchasing policies of Ohio manufacturing firms and the effects of these policies on vendors in the environment of the competitive challenge of Japanese business. As these principles are adapted to the specific structural variables of firms, their effects on policies of purchasers, such as lead times and quality inspection, are examined. A framework model of literature is developed as a basic body of knowledge needed to approach the study of international business. An adaptive effects transfer model extends Banranson's Technology Transfer Model to give a systemic view of the research variables.;Using structural variables of company size, type of product, type of industrial process, and delivery method, the research investigates the extent of the companies' acceptance and adaptation of manufacturing principles identified as Japanese. The prevailing conclusion of current literature that Japanese technology has indeed transferred into the U.S. is verified by a questionnaire survey of selected SIC codes of Ohio firms with more than 25 employees. Eighty-one percent of the sampled firms are utilizing at least one of the selected six management principles identified as Japanese. Canonical analysis reveals that reduction in number of vendors is the key principle (over quality certification, long-term employment, just-in-time, quality circles, and Ringi consensus decision-making) to identify firms with effective related policy changes. MANOVA analysis identifies firms with repetitive production processes (batch and assembly line operations) as utilizing more Japanese principles than job shops. Also, larger size firms are adopting these principles to a greater extent than smaller firms. A just-in-time philosophy in many firms is producing large savings in inventory while also allowing problems of quality to surface and be corrected. Innovative delivery schemes and computer ties are increasing communications between the purchasers and vendors. The research concludes that Ohio industrial purchasers are working more closely with fewer vendors resulting in benefits to both parties.