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Teamwork in the Automobile Industry Ð An Anglo-German Comparison

Author

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  • Niels-Erik Wergin

    (Department of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics and Political Science)

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 manu- facturing away from traditional taylorist models of production, but does not over-come Taylorism altogether.

Suggested Citation

  • Niels-Erik Wergin, 2003. "Teamwork in the Automobile Industry Ð An Anglo-German Comparison," European Political Economy Review, European Political Economy Infrastructure Consortium, vol. 1(Autumn), pages 152-190.
    • Handle: RePEc:epe:journl:v:1:y:2003:i:autumn:p:152-190
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Christel Lane, 1995. "Industry and Society in Europe," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 272.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Teamwork; Automobile Industry; Industrial Relations; Lean Production; post-Fordism;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • M12 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Personnel Management; Executives; Executive Compensation
    • M14 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Corporate Culture; Diversity; Social Responsibility
    • M53 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Training
    • R41 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Transportation: Demand, Supply, and Congestion; Travel Time; Safety and Accidents; Transportation Noise
    • P51 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Comparative Economic Systems - - - Comparative Analysis of Economic Systems

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