Annual Report 2009 - Asian Productivity Organization

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. This year, a conference on
Quality Award Systems was held in Thailand, 15–18
December, along with the second Regional Quality
Award Administrators’ meeting that gave updates
on national strategies and initiatives for promoting
quality awards, discussed new features added to
award criteria and standards, and explored areas
of collaboration in harmonization of awards. The
conference was attended by 23 participants from 13
member countries with award systems, along with five
international experts. A two-year (2010–2011) action
plan for a regional award program was developed
based on the results of the APO 2009 regional survey
on the effects of business excellence on enterprises to
be published in early 2010.
A public conference was held on the final day on
Leadership and Innovation where speakers from Singapore,
Europe, and the USA presented best practices
in the adoption of the business excellence framework.
The public seminar was attended by more than 200
including APO participants.
Technology, IT, and Innovation
Management of Technology
In the globalized economy, enterprises must constantly
innovate to create customer value and ensure the
viability and sustainability of their businesses. To do
so, technology development and innovation are core
competencies. The full use of internal and external
management resources is therefore necessary. However,
on the path from invention to commercialization
lies what has been described as the “Valley of Death,”
where wasteful expenditure occurs due to a lack of
knowledge regarding customers, competitors, and
markets. Successfully navigating such difficulties and
completing the process of commercializing technological
seeds requires the management of technology
(MOT).
To learn from leading Japanese enterprises that
have introduced the MOT as a strategic tool for
competitiveness, the APO organized a multicountry
observational study mission on the Management of
Technology, in Tokyo, 22–26 June, in association with
the JPC. The mission was attended by 18 participants
from 11 member countries. The objectives were to observe
the key concepts and priorities of MOT among
Japanese manufacturing companies, with the focus on
maximizing the cost-effectiveness of investments in
technology development, and examine the applicability
of advanced Japanese technology management
systems in other Asian countries.
Program coverage: Concept of MOT; Innovation and
technological strategy; Management of R&D; Human
resources development of personnel in charge of
R&D and product development; and Project management
in R&D and product development. A field
visit was made to Elionix, Bayer CropScience Yuki
Research Center, and Kao Corporation, all of which
have excellent MOT systems in place.
Quality and Innovation
In the knowledge economy, innovation is the new
driver for productivity growth. Doing things differently
and doing different things have become
new sources of strength that enable value creation.
Necessitated by intense competition, enterprises have
become a breeding ground for innovative ideas and
practices. According to the World Competitiveness
Scoreboard 2009 of the International Institute for
Management Development (IMD), Sweden ranked
sixth overall among 57 economies, up three places
from the previous year. The IMD’s criteria show that
Sweden is globally competitive in terms of management
practices, labor market, and business efficiency.
Participants discussing the applicability of Swedish quality
management systems in Asia
To learn from leading enterprises that have won
Swedish Quality Awards, the APO organized a study
mission to Sweden on Quality and Innovation, 5–9
October, in association with the Swedish Institute of
Quality. The mission was attended by 15 participants
from eight member economies. The objective was to
learn from Swedish quality management experiences
and provide firsthand exposure to the best Swedish
practices in quality and innovation. In this mission, the
APO deputed one international resource speaker to
conduct sessions and facilitate discussions.
Program coverage: Strategy and business planning
for longer-term competitiveness; Innovation-based
business operations (human resources development
focus); Innovative, sustainable quality culture (R&D
focus); Excellence in customer satisfaction; and The
Swedish Quality Award model. Field visits were made
to RUAG, Volvo Aero Corporation, Volvo Construc-
APO ANNUAL REPORT 2009 27
INDUSTRY AND SERVICE SECTORS