The belief that there is a positive relationship between quality and innovation is widely distributed among professional quality. However, the experience of the Japanese manufacturers, who are well known for their high standards of quality, performance, questioned the relationship. In fact, the inability of some Japanese high-tech firms to introduce radical and disruptive new technologies, in particular in connection with the emphasis they placed on product quality. By delaying the introduction of new technologies, as long as their quality can be assured that they lost to American companies who were willing to develop new products and service features that meet the needs of consumers, even though they were not free from drawbacks, such as the Apple iPod. Three main case studies of Japanese high-tech sector, to analyze what kinds of innovations can be undermined by the emphasis on the quality of its management and explores the consequences. "Hide
by Robert E. Cole, Tsuyoshi Matsumiya Source: California Management Review 18 pages. Publication Date: November 1, 2007. Prod. #: CMR379-PDF-ENG