Environmental performance as a driver of superior quality

Abstract

We explore theoretically and empirically how efforts to enable other types of manufacturing improvements. Drawing on a unique data set comprised of detailed surveys of 42 automotive assembly plants, associated quality metrics, and in-depth qualitative data from 17 automotive assembly plants, associated quality metrics, and in-depth qualitative data from 17 automotive assembly plants. We show that attaining superior environmental performance can be a significant driver of superior quality. We highlight the synergistic and reciprocal nature of environmental and broader manufacturing improvement efforts, and show that environmental improvement tools and know-how can be an important source of competitive advantage.