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Teamwork in the Automobile Industry - an Anglo-German Comparison

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  • Niels-Erik Wergin

    (London School of Economics, Dept. of Industrial Relations)

Abstract

Teamwork in the automotive industry varies significantly from plant to plant. This article compares teamwork in four automobile plants in Germany and Britain, and addresses two questions: (1) Do different models of teamwork fit into a bi-polar model of teamwork, being either innovative or structural conservative? (2) Do current models of teamwork signify a development towards post-fordism, or are they merely part of a neo-fordist rationalisation of production? The following answers are suggested: (1) Teamwork in different motor-car plants cannot be categorised in a bi-polar model; rather do they represent a continuum. (2) Teamwork moves manufacturing away from traditional taylorist models of production, but does not overcome Taylorism altogether.

Suggested Citation

  • Niels-Erik Wergin, 2004. "Teamwork in the Automobile Industry - an Anglo-German Comparison," Industrial Organization 0406010, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:wpa:wuwpio:0406010
    Note: Type of Document - pdf; pages: 39
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Christel Lane, 1995. "Industry and Society in Europe," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 272, June.
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    • L - Industrial Organization

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