Just‐in‐Time: A United States‐United Kingdom Comparison

Abstract

Managerial practices and perceptions in the implementation of just‐in‐time (JIT) principles and concepts are significantly different in the United Kingdom compared to the United States. In a study of 99 companies located throughout both countries, several distinct differences between the US and the UK were found. US companies tend to provide a greater range of training and education for their employees than do UK companies. Incentives for employees are more prevalent in the US than the UK. The UK lags behind the US in taking JIT to the shopfloor. Respondents in both countries indicated comparable dissatisfaction with the implementation process. Problems in implementation included: lack of top management commitment and support, poor communication, lack of cross‐functional planning teams, data accuracy, and supplier participation. In conclusion, JIT tends to be viewed more often as a technique by UK managers whereas their US counterparts practise JIT from a philosophical perspective.

Citation

Billesbach, T., Harrison, A. and Croom‐Morgan, S. (1991), "Just‐in‐Time: A United States‐United Kingdom Comparison", International Journal of Operations & Production Management, Vol. 11 No. 10, pp. 44-57. https://doi.org/10.1108/EUM0000000001289