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Shopfloor Apprentices under a Lean Labour Process: Insights from a British Car Plant

Author

Listed:
  • Ron Roberts

    (Queen’s University Belfast, UK)

  • Niall Cullinane

    (Queen’s University Belfast, UK)

Abstract

This article considers how lean production changes the shopfloor learning experience of apprentices. Insights from labour process and communities of practice literature are used to interrogate the study. Evidence derives from apprentices’ experiences in a British car assembly plant across several decades. The study compares pre-lean apprentices’ experiences with those who learn under lean, considering how lean might reshape apprentices’ shopfloor interactions with the plant community of practice. It finds that lean appears unfavourable to apprentices’ integration into the community of practice by debilitating learning opportunities with mentors. The article concludes by theorising how inefficiency and waste may aid on-the-job learning for workplace apprentices.

Suggested Citation

  • Ron Roberts & Niall Cullinane, 2026. "Shopfloor Apprentices under a Lean Labour Process: Insights from a British Car Plant," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 40(1), pages 135-152, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:woemps:v:40:y:2026:i:1:p:135-152
    DOI: 10.1177/09500170251366186
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hans-Gerd Ridder, 2017. "The theory contribution of case study research designs," Business Research, Springer;German Academic Association for Business Research, vol. 10(2), pages 281-305, October.
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