Workers, Managers, Productivity

Kaizen, a continuous-improvement approach that originated in Japanese management, has spread across many developing economies. This study examines how those efforts are carried out in practice, placing the setting of each initiative at the heart of its analysis. Rather than focusing mainly on productivity figures, the author centers the relationship between workers and managers, linking the inquiry to the United Nations goal of decent work and economic growth. The book also surveys how Kaizen takes different forms depending on geography and the size of the firm. Drawing on case studies from Africa, Asia and Latin America, it argues that better management practices can strengthen both productivity and product quality. Scholars, policymakers and advocates of sustainable development are its intended readers. The volume is available as open access.