An International Comparison of Factory Productivity Available to Purchase

For the plant manager there are many suggested remedies for increased plant productivity. Detailed survey data from 555 factories,principally in the US, Europe and Korea, are used to examine the factors that contribute to productivity. Regression analysis is employed with five distinct measures of productivity and productivity gain and the results indicate a number of key variables are responsible. Many similarities are reported across the three samples analysed, but three factors stand out: improved flow of materials; investment in new technology; and human resource initiatives.