Information and Incentive Effects of Inventory in JIT Production
用生产模型分析准时制生产中低库存的信息与激励作用，发现低库存有助于工人观察和理解生产过程、提升可靠性和良品率，并用全球116家工厂数据验证了其对可靠性、质量和成本的影响。
This paper provides an economic rationale for modern manufacturing control practices such as the minimal inventories in Just in Time (JIT)systems, zero-defect policies, and continuous improvement. The popular and academic literature contains descriptive studies on the mechanics of these systems and their perceived benefits. We use a model of production to analyze both informational and incentive rationales for reduced inventories. A JIT-like environment of low inventory levels is optimal in our model because it helps workers to better observe and understand the production process and to think and act creatively to improve operational reliability and yields. Empirical evidence using data obtained from 116 plants worldwide supports our conclusions about the effect of reduced inventories on process reliability, product quality, and cost.