Engineers are a key occupational group in the transformation of the modern world. Contrasts between Japans economic miracle and Britains relative economic decline have often been linked to differences in education, training and employment of engineers. Yet, such views have often rested on little more than colourful anecdotes and selective statistics. Using careful and systematic comparisons, Kevin McCormick locates the differences between rhetoric and reality to dismiss both the inflated claims of the 1980s and the excessive detraction of the 1990s with Japans prolonged recession.

This book addresses the widespread concern regarding British industry's ability to compete internationally. Through an analysis of the UK automotive components sector, the author examines the central issues at the core of the competitiveness debate and outlines why there has been such a widespread and severe decline in the performance of British manufacturing. It draws on findings from visits to thirty British manufacturers and also to thirty overseas manufacturers in Germany, the USA and Japan, matched on a product basis to allow comparisons and a genuine international perspective. The author concludes that competitive decline is due, in part, to a weakness in the strategic management capability of many UK companies, and also to the lack of adequate co-ordination and co-operation between customer and supplier industries. Dr Carr identifies the remaining areas of vulnerability and priorities for action, and finally considers the implications for Britain's overall competitiveness.