Quality is the center of integrated management

States that the purpose of integrated management is to find and solve problems in an integrated way. Tries to clarify the logic of the “breakthrough” approach to management, which is thought to be an important and indispensable element of integrated management. This involves looking at management as a means to reduce defects with minimum costs rather than achieving optimum costs at the expense of perfection. Examines three cases from Japanese experiences. Concludes that quality should be distinguished from cost and profitability and that it should be at the center of integrated management.