Earlier quoted context omitted.
> Kiichiro Toyoda invented the lean production model after coming to the states and studying the inefficiencies of the assembly lines of Ford. See also Deming on quality control: * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._Edwards_Deming#Work_in_Japa...
As I’ve heard it, Deming was having trouble getting people to listen to him on this side of the pond, but the Japanese were all too happy to listen to his ideas. There also seems to be a running disagreement about whether Mr Toyoda or Taiichi Ohno is responsible for the Toyota system. To wit, the intro to Ohno’s Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiichi_Ohno
made me chuckle - its not like he did anything of value...
Deming has always been a reminder to think about counter tendencies. He might not have made sense to the Detroit execs in 1950-1975 but his relevance changed sharply after that.