Skill development and integrated manufacturing in Mexico

This paper examines the contribution to worker skill development made by transnational companies (TNCs) in Mexico. We test to determine if firms that have implemented any or all parts of the integrated manufacturing model (defined as the use of advanced manufacturing technology, just in time inventory practices, and total quality management) are more likely to make significant skill development contributions than firms that do not use these practices. Our primary finding is that TNCs with intensive total quality management practices tend to make above average contributions. We found no significant statistical relationship between advanced manufacturing technology and skill development. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.