Reflections on the Toyota Debacle + When Theres No Such Thing as Too Much Information - Article Example

Reflection on the Toyota Debacle + When There’s No Such Thing as Too Much Information What were the causes of the “unintended cases of rapid acceleration” described in the article?Answer: Poor design and testing was a main cause of the problem. It led to manufacture of acceleration pedals that stuck on the loose floor mats and the sticky pedal materials after exposure to moisture and friction. The other cause was paying less attention to product and process details.2. What aspect of Toyota’s business was most at fault, in your opinion?

Defend your answer.Answer: In my opinion, minimizing inventory, reducing cost to rising competition and the overstretched managerial resources and supply chain in the spirit of competition with general motors’ were the faultiest aspects of Toyota’s Business. The result was poor quality products developed, acceleration pedals that stuck on the loose floor mats and the sticky pedal materials after exposure to moisture and friction (Cusumano 34).3. The author seems to feel that Toyota got “too comfortable” with its success.

Do you feel this is the case? Why or why not?Answer: In my opinion, Toyota was not comfortable with its success. This was because; the company kept on trying to rise far above its competitors. Another thing was the company was keen to give customers the best quality especially after the many complains. A comfortable company could have just sat and continue production without minding the many companies made.4. What surprised you about the article?Answer: Several things have surprised me about the article.

One, the author seems to be so keen on every aspect of Toyota Company as far as automobiles are concerned. Two, another surprise is on how Toyota has managed to remain in the top of the auto industry even after being the company with the most defects detected.5. The author argues the “success often brings with it the potential seeds of decline.” Can you think of a successful company, which has recently been in decline?Answer: Blockbuster Video rental chain has been a thriving company until the introduction of technology.

Majority of the people now are able to access online videos, which has reduced the customers flow to the rental shops.Second Part: Discuss the two companies you foundAnswer: Pillsbury is a food production company. Due to its growing global market share the business has a growing information need for both its customers and its employees. It now uses StatServer to convey customized data, analysis and educate employees on their desktops (Tibco 1).The tool has enhanced the company’s productivity by allowing employees to upgrade individual desktop data analysis tools.

Apex industries deal with plastic fabrications. It employees comprise of a team of engineers, artisans, and project managers. To continue providing high quality products and services to their customers, the company uses a refined ERP system (Localdirectory 1). This has enabled them earn a high customer satisfaction and employee efficiency in production.Works citedCusumano Michael, A. “Technology Strategy, and Management: Reflection on Toyota Debacle.”Association for Computing Machinery 54. 1 (2011): 33-35. Print.Localdirectory.

Apex Industries Inc. Bisiness info. Fox 29 WFLX.com. Web. < http://localdirectory.wflx.com/apex+industries+inc.9.49975512p.home.html >.Tibco. Pillsbury Deployes Innovative Data Analysis Tool Kit. Web. Cited from: .