Abstract

The case discusses the various Knowledge Management (KM) practices at Toyota Motors, the world’s most profitable automobile company. It also describes how Toyota enables wide knowledge sharing not just within the organization but also across its supply chain. It details the practices that make Toyota a true learning organization. It further explores the role of traditional organizational practices in the company’s KM efforts. The case concludes with a discussion on how KM has contributed to Toyota’s exemplary performance

Learning Objectives

The case is structured to achieve the following Learning Objectives:

• Examine the KM practices adopted by a large and successful company.

Keywords

Toyota Motor Corporation, Knowledge Management, organizational learning, Toyota Production System, DaimlerChrysler, Toyota Global Knowledge Centre, Kaizen, Volkswagen, General Motors, Ford, Kanban, JIT manufacturing system, Supply Chain, e-Learning, Prius project