Toyota Motor Company’s advertisement in The Economist magazine is entitled ‘Your Toyota is My Toyota’. It shows a photograph of a female production team member on the assembly line at the company’s Burnaston plant in the UK with a thick yellow and black rope above her head. The text reads as follows:

‘If I suspect a problem, I pull the Andon cord and the whole production line stops immediately, and it doesn’t start again until the issue has been resolved. I’ve pulled it thousands of times and it’s good because it makes everyone personally responsible for producing the highest quality car.’

The advertising copy implies that this is an example of employee empowerment. Do you agree? (The Economist, 2010)

Transcribed Image Text:

Bride Tucker Team Member Tim Assembly Tyca Burmaston E Your Toyota is My Toyota "If I suspect a problem, I pull the Andon cord and the whole productiontine stops Immediately, and it doesn't start again until the issue has been resolved. I've pulled it thousands of times and it's good because it makes everyone personally responsible for producing the highest quality car Visit Bride Tacker.com/bridle Automoverw TOYOTA Today Tomorrow Toyota Courtesy of Toyota (GB) Ltd