Final answer:
The Toyota Way emphasized 'Respect for people, teamwork, continuous improvement through learning and quality', reflecting their Theory Y approach to management and commitment to quality and continuous improvement in their manufacturing processes.
Step-by-step explanation:
At Toyota, the birthplace of lean six sigma, the Toyota Way emphasized Respect for people, teamwork, continuous improvement through learning and quality. This business philosophy is aligned with what is known as Theory Y, where employees are seen as self-motivated and seeking fulfillment from their work. At Toyota, this approach is exemplified by policies such as allowing any employee to stop the production line to address defects, ensuring continuous improvement and high quality is maintained. Comparatively, while satisfying customers with innovative technology is also vital for business success, as indicated by Samsung's philosophy, the Toyota Way is particularly characterized by its emphasis on human factors and quality improvement processes.
Choice D is the correct answer because it encapsulates the core principles of the Toyota Way: respect for people and an ingrained culture of teamwork coupled with a commitment to continuous improvement and delivering quality in every aspect of their work.