Final answer:
Manufacturers in the 1980s improved efficiencies and quality by adopting just in time (JIT) delivery and total quality management (TQM), in conjunction with deregulation that reduced governmental constraints across various sectors.
Step-by-step explanation:
Beginning in the 1980s, manufacturers utilized just in time (JIT) delivery and total quality management (TQM) strategies to improve quality, manufacturing efficiencies, and delivery times. The just in time approach meant that car parts such as bumpers, tires, and fenders were delivered daily, reducing the need for warehousing and improving quality control since defective parts could be identified quickly. This system required suppliers to be close to the main assembly plants, leading to the construction of numerous parts factories in surrounding small towns. The adoption of JIT and TQM worked in conjunction with a broader wave of deregulation in the 1970s and 1980s that reduced government restrictions across various industries, fostering a competitive environment conducive to these new production techniques.
Total Quality Management (TQM) complemented JIT by focusing on continuous improvement in all areas of production, including the engagement of workers in the quest for efficiency. This strategic shift towards JIT and TQM came alongside advancements such as the assembly line, which significantly impacted labor by streamlining the production process and reducing labor costs.