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Leaving Lean? Recent Changes in the Production Organization of some Japanese Car Plants

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  • Jos Benders

    (University of Nijmegen)

Abstract

Labour market shortages in Japan have reportedly led car manufacturers to change the well-known lean production system into a more 'worker-friendly' system. Based on empirical material and secondary sources, an overview of measures taken by Toyota, Nissan, Honda and Mazda is presented. Among other things, it is concluded that Toyota seems to have adopted some significant and enduring changes in its production policy. The measures, the likelihood that they will be continued and the influence of Western production concepts on them are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Jos Benders, 1996. "Leaving Lean? Recent Changes in the Production Organization of some Japanese Car Plants," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 17(1), pages 9-38, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ecoind:v:17:y:1996:i:1:p:9-38
    DOI: 10.1177/0143831X96171002
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sandberg Åke, 1993. "Volvo am Scheideweg - Effektive und menschliche Fabriken werden ohne triftige Gründe geschlossen," Arbeit, De Gruyter, vol. 2(2), pages 175-189, June.
    2. Aertsen, F. & Benders, J., 1993. "Tricks and trucks : Ten years of organizational renewal at DAF?," Research Memorandum FEW 627, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    3. Schon Beechler & John Zhuang Yang, 1994. "The Transfer of Japanese-Style Management to American Subsidiaries: Contingencies, and Competencies," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 25(3), pages 467-491, September.
    4. Aertsen, F. & Benders, J., 1993. "Tricks and trucks : Ten years of organizational renewal at DAF?," Other publications TiSEM cd52f3da-ea3d-4021-bc22-0, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ian Hampson, 1999. "Lean Production and the Toyota Production System Or, the Case of the Forgoften Production Concepts," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 20(3), pages 369-391, August.
    2. Terje Gronning, 1997. "The Emergence and Institutionalization of Toyotism: Subdivision and Integration of the Labour Force at the Toyota Motor Corporation from the 1950s to the 1 970s," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 18(3), pages 423-455, August.
    3. Anne Sey, 2000. "Team Work in Japan: Revolution, Evolution or No Change at All?," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 21(4), pages 475-503, November.
    4. Hans Pruijt, 2003. "Teams between Neo-Taylorism and Anti-Taylorism," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 24(1), pages 77-101, February.

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