Re: Firestone

[John <jsdwd@samart.co.th>]

 This results in a ranking of 300-400, which would be high enough to be
> addressed
> by a multidisciplinary problem-solving team....another QS-9000 requirement.
> 
> Bashing by hindsight is always the easy thing to do, but my point here is that
> the QS-9000 standard provides a path forward for Firestone's management.
> Does the Deming philosophy have such a path? If so, what is it?
> 
> GrantBlair@aol.com
> Ninety Six SC
> ======================================================================
> 
> 
Perhaps Mr. Blair can calculate a ranking to justify the establishment of a
multi-disciplinary problem solving appraoch to help with the replacement of
the more than 60 lives that were lost.  I read yesterday that as many as 80
deaths may be attributed to the problem.

I think some bashing is justified.

It is done in hindsight because the public has only recently become aroused.

This is not true of the manufacterers.  It has come to light that the tire
was never intended for use on the product on which it was used.  What
studies were conducted over what period of time to insure that the product
would perform in a safe manner in this makeshift arrangement.  I don't know,
but this will come to light, I suppose, as the drama continues to unfold.

Also, it seems as though some of these lives were lost after the
manufacterers knew there was a problem.   What is their responsibility with
regard to that?  How would ISO9xxx help with the moral judgement made here
that the risk of loss of life was worth the profit gained?

I recall the seatbelt introduction.  If memory serves, American
manufacturers spent millions fighting the effort in congress.  Why?  What is
a corporation's responsibility to society?  Are they only responsible to
stock holders?

In many countries american petro-chemical companies sell pesticides and
other products that are banned in the U.S (e.g. Chlordane).  Are the
pesticides less harmful in those countries?  What is a companies
responsibility to society?

A major U. S. oil company has been shown to be complicit in the use of
forced labor performed by conscripted citizens in the construction of the
Burmese gas pipeline.  Has what amoounts to slavery been plotted on the
profit performance curve?

Many (not a few) insurance companies have been sued successfully for
wrongfully denying disability and health claims.  Yet, insurance companies
are spending millions on trying prevent claimants from being able to sue
them at all.  Why?  What is a company's responsibility to society?

In fact, the Deming philosophy does have a path forward for management.  It
is called constancy of purpose and the aim, as he often said, is to benefit
society (to stay in business, to provide jobs).  if Firestone had had that
aim and adhered to it, would 80 or more people have lost their lives?
Impossible to say, I suppose...


John Dowd
jsdwd@samart.co.th
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