Continuous improvement techniques are important tools for enabling companies to improve their operations. The implementation of these techniques is however estimated to be quite different around the world. Continuous improvement is a thermometer that companies can use to feel their health in this hectic market. This paper compares two countries, Mexico and Sweden, which are considered to be quite different in culture and industrial structure, in terms of the use of continuous improvement tools and techniques, such as TQM, Kaizen, Six-Sigma, and Lean Manufacturing.

The surveys in the two countries are based on the same scale, sample size, and industrial sector. A definition of each of the key-words was included in the questionnaire. The results indicate both similarities and differences in the strengths and weaknesses of the companies. The companies can work on the results to benchmark themselves and they can reinforce their strengths as well as to reduce their weaknesses.