The Productivity Paradox

American manufacturers’ near-heroic efforts to regain a competitive edge through productivity improvements have been disappointing. Worse, the results of these efforts have been paradoxical. The harder these companies pursue productivity, the more elusive it becomes. In the late 1970s, after facing a severe loss of market share in dozens of industries, U.S. producers aggressively mounted […]

by

Wickham Skinner

by

Wickham Skinner

From the Magazine (July 1986)

American manufacturers’ near-heroic efforts to regain a competitive edge through productivity improvements have been disappointing. Worse, the results of these efforts have been paradoxical. The harder these companies pursue productivity, the more elusive it becomes.

A version of this article appeared in the July 1986 issue of Harvard Business Review.

WS

Wickham Skinner is the James E. Robison Professor of Business Administration at the Harvard Business School, where he teaches production and operations management. His most recent research and writing focuses on the revitalization of U.S. manufacturing.

The Productivity Paradox

Partner Center

Explore HBR

HBR Store

About HBR

Manage My Account

Follow HBR