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Empowerment As a Trojan Horse: New Systems of Work Organization in the North American Automobile Industry

Author

Listed:
  • Charlotte Yates
  • Wayne Lewchuk

    (McMaster Universily)

  • Paul Stewart

    (University of the West of England)

Abstract

While new models of work orgaization (lean production) in the automobile industry have been portrayed as a 'democratic'break with Fordism, we find considerable parallels with those traditional patterns of labour control they were intended to supplant. Far from understanding these as exemplars of 'democratic Taylorism', the article identities spwific company responses to problems associated with declining productivity and competitiveness. Moreover, the article argues that new models of work organization associated with lean production, far from heralding empowerment, are more conerned with asserting management control in varying ways in different companies.

Suggested Citation

  • Charlotte Yates & Wayne Lewchuk & Paul Stewart, 2001. "Empowerment As a Trojan Horse: New Systems of Work Organization in the North American Automobile Industry," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 22(4), pages 517-541, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ecoind:v:22:y:2001:i:4:p:517-541
    DOI: 10.1177/0143831X01224004
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