The just-in-time operating philosophy : implications for workers and work teams /
| Main Author: | |
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| Other Authors: | , , |
| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
1990.
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Link to OAKTrust copy |
| Abstract: | The Just-In-Time (JIT) operating philosophy has been adopted by many American companies during the last decade. As American companies have adopted JIT it has become very clear that the involvement and commitment of the work force is vital to the success of the JIT philosophy. This research effort was conducted in an electronics assembly plant which relies on work teams as the primary vehicle for employee involvement. The objective of this research was to examine the implications which the JIT operating philosophy holds for workers and work teams. First, this research examined worker perceptions of the JIT operating environment. Several aspects of the work environment were studied to include: equity of workload, control of work pace, comfort with work pace, sources of motivation and equity of rewards. The only significant change in worker perceptions concerned the adequacy and equity of rewards. This study determined that worker satisfaction with a reward system based on team performance rather than individual performance eroded somewhat over the course of this study. Second, this research investigated the development of work team characteristics as the teams transitioned to the JIT operating environment. Several team characteristics were studied to include: capacity to collaborate, inclination to collaborate, communication effectiveness, priority consonance, and participation in decision making. Only team capacity to collaborate as measured by team flexibility improved during the course of this study. The improvement is attributed to an informal cross-training program which was implemented by the company. Third, this study examined the link between team characteristics and team performance. The results indicate that team collaboration was positively related to schedule performance and labor efficiency. Further, priority consonance and participation in decision making were also positively related to schedule performance. Finally, team flexibility was positively related to product quality. |
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| Item Description: | Typescript (photocopy). Vita. "Major subject: Industrial engineering." |
| Physical Description: | xiii, 170 leaves : illustrations ; 29 cm |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references. |