Read the following editorial and answer the question that follow. Hyundai:Rising Sales, Falling Quality?
In 2010, Hyundai Motor Company achieved a 4.6 shares of the U. S. auto market, but it was forced to recall almost 140,000 Sonatas after an investigation by the U. S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Two consumers reported that their cars, assembled in Alabama, had defective steering systems. The problem appeared to stem from a sinple assembly mistake: Bolts weren't being connected to the steering column correctly.
An editorial in The Chosun Ilbo suggests that the action should sound an alarm for Hyundai, citing Toyota's massive recall ans resulting sales problems as an example of what can happen when rapid growth overshadows a commitment to quality. Noting that Hyundai's share of the U. S. auto market was steadily increasing and that there had been another recall of 46,000 Hyundai cars with faulty front latches, the article advised Hyundai managers to focus on quality and rethink the company's rapid growth policy.
Korean automakers are hungry to become major players in the automobile industry and need new markets to expand their global share. However, parts manufacturers are having a hard time keeping up with demand, and quality control processes can falter when production increases too quickly. The article warns Korea's largest automobile manufacturer that "expansion must not come at the expense of quality"
1) The author of this editorial suggest that:
a. rapid expansion gets in the way of quality control
b. quality control is enhanced by rapid expansion
c. rapid expansion is necessary for quality control
d. quality control is necessary for rapid expansion
2) Researchers who study total quality management have criticized a number of things about the technique and the way it is implemented in corporations today. Which of the following criticisms might be responsible for the problems Hyundai encountered with its steering system? Check all that apply
1. Total quality management may focus workers so intently on one part of the process that other parts of the process are ignored or neglected.
2. Workers may be asked to make suggestions for improvement, but their suggestions may not be implemented.
3. Implementing total quality management may consume resources that would otherwise be directed toward production of goods and services.
4. Benchmarking best practices in other organizations may reduce true innovation,