RC Bhargava acknowledges govt's role in fostering favourable environment for industries

Speaking to CNBC-TV18, he stated, "The government has gone a long way in creating a much more conducive atmosphere for industry to work. Compared to what we started with and worked with for a long period of our lives, it's very, very different from what exists today. This book, which I've written, is based on what really made the difference in our manufacturing processes and systems which made the company so much more competitive and so much better in terms of overall efficiency of functioning than other companies in this area."

According to him, this new environment creates a win-win situation for management, workers, companies, and the nation as a whole.

He discussed India Inc.'s tendency to adopt manufacturing practices learned from the Western world, which has witnessed a decline in its manufacturing competitiveness. He points out that Japan's success stemmed from recognising the valuable insights that workers on the shop floor can offer.

Bhargava emphasises the importance of acknowledging that workers can contribute significantly to continuous improvement, a concept ingrained in the Kaizen philosophy.

While acknowledging the role of digitisation and artificial intelligence (AI) in manufacturing, Bhargava emphasises that these technologies should primarily be utilised for efficient designing, quicker product development, and data-based decision-making. However, he underscores that crucial aspects, such as fostering teamwork, managing supply chains, and motivating workers, require a human touch and cannot be replaced by AI.