Problem:
For manufacturing operations, the United States has seen a dramatic shift away from local manufacturing, and seeing operations move overseas or to other countries (i.e., Mexico) to take advantage of lower labor costs. Read the article "Manufacturers Like Us" published in Industry Week, November 2004, by David Drickhamer, that summarizes a study done by that trade publication comparing U.S. and Chinese manufacturers. While they discuss a number of different elements, one of the biggest issues is the improving quality of Chinese products.
How has China been able to improve their quality of manufacturing in terms of the inputs used to create higher quality production?
Reference:
David Drickhamer (2004, November). MANUFACTURERS LIKE US. Industry Week, 253(11), 35-42.