Revitalizing US Electronics

Written by one of the few executives who have extensive experience in the electronics industry in both the US and Japan, this book compares market research, design, and manufacturing techniques as used in both countries. Unlike other books on the Japanese business culture, Sprague gives specific advice and recommendations about what companies can do now to compete with Japan, clearly pointing out what is and what is not adaptable from the Japanese approach to business.

Dedication Acknowledgments Introduction Chapter One: Sprague in Japan: Expectations, Realities, and Some Lessons Chapter Two: The History of the Electronics Industry: Myths vs. Facts The Roots of Electronics What About Japan? U.S./Japan Semiconductor Competition Heats Up The Role and History of Capacitors in Electronics Chapter Three: The Process Ceramics at Sprague Manufacturing MLCs Ceramic Variables and Quality Other Devices, Other Processes Success and Failure at Sprague Electric: Early Sources Chapter Four: Sources of Competitive Advantage Advantages: Japan Advantages: United States Lifetime Employment: Realities and Drawbacks Chapter Five: From Basic Research to Actual Products Gatekeeping Licensing Alliances Other Sources The Role and Management of Research and Development The Commercialization of Technology Allocation of Resources Teamwork in Technology Commercialization Personal Case Histories Chapter Six: The Work Force Education The U.S. Manager Management of Japanese-Owned American Companies Managerial Compensation Training Labor Relations Chapter Seven: Total Company Quality Learning from America: Japan and TQC How Sprague Exploited a Quality Advantage The United States and Quality Competitiveness Quality and Reliability Relations with Suppliers Supplier Links, Quality, and the Shell Club Chapter Eight: The Manufacturing Floor What is World Class Manufacturing? Just in Time (JIT) Systems Flexible Manufacturing The Sprague Electric Experience Manufacturing Management Similarities and a Big Difference Chapter Nine: The Marketplace Serving the U.S. Market: The Sprague Experience Corporate Structure and the Marketplace The United States Electronics Market Serving the Japanes