Toyota, known for its quality automobiles, had its reputation tarnished by having to recall millions of its vehicles due to defective accelerators and brakes. The following article discusses the importance of accepting that quality problems can occur in any company and the need to have an effective crisis management mechanism in place.

Search for the article titled “Toyota Was in Denial. How About You” on Bloomberg.com and answer the questions that follow.

1. Why is the information in this article important to operations managers?
2. What are the basic reasons behind Toyota’s recent product safety lapses?
3. How can hard questioning be good operations management? Can it be bad for operations management?
4. What can or should U.S. operators learn from Toyota’s problems?

5. What is the future of the regulation of product safety in the United States?