This problem solver offers a wealth of remedies for American industry's neglect of competitive manufacturing strategies and its resulting loss of productivity. Drawing upon the example of world-class and foreign manufacturers, the book illustrates what American industry must do in terms of manufacturing capability to regain a preeminent spot in the marketplace.

ROBERT H. HAYES is the Philip Caldwell Professor of Business Administration, Emeritus, at the Harvard Business School He has published widely; three of his articles won McKinsey Awards for the best articles published in the Harvard Business Review during those years His latest book, Strategic Operations: Competing Through Capabilities, was published in 1996.

STEVEN C. WHEELWRIGHT is the Edsel Bryant Ford Professor of Business Administration, Retired, at Harvard Business School.