Hitachi Automotive Products, Los Angeles (HAPLA), based in Torrance, California, is a major manufacturer of remanufactured (remanned) electromechanical automotive parts such as alternators, starters, distributors, electronic control units, mass airflow sensors and linear flow valves. At HAP-LA, the production process and philosophy is greatly influenced by Japanese techniques such as Kaizen, 5S and Kanban. Sometimes, when changes occur in the production process after a Kaizen blitz, or restructuring, events occur that must be analyzed using correlation and causal analysis methodologies
Correlation and Causal Analysis Research
Before an analysis can be conducted, an understanding of both correlational research and causal analysis research must be met. A correlational analysis is one that determines that "variables occur together in some specified manner without implying that one causes the other" (Cooper, 2002, p. 44). An example of a correlational relationship is the determination that injuries occur in a factory after weekends or holidays.…
