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Ford versus `Fordism': The Beginning of Mass Production?

Author

Listed:
  • Karel Williams

    (University of Wales, Aberystwyth)

  • Colin Haslam

    (East London Polytechnic)

  • John Williams

    (University of Wales, Aberystwyth)

Abstract

This article questions the stereotypes of Fordism and mass production. It does so by demonstrating that there is a contradiction between the stereotypes and the reality of Henry Ford's manufacturing practice in production of the Model T at the Highland Park factory between 1909 and 1919. Highland Park was not an inflexible factory which combined dedicated equipment, Taylorised semi-skilled workers and a standardised product. More positively, the article quantifies Ford's heroic achievement in taking two-thirds of the labour hours out of the product at the same time as he built more of each car. Ford used productive intervention to realise manufacturing flow through proto-Japanese manufacturing techniques which involved a commitment to continuous improvement.

Suggested Citation

  • Karel Williams & Colin Haslam & John Williams, 1992. "Ford versus `Fordism': The Beginning of Mass Production?," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 6(4), pages 517-555, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:woemps:v:6:y:1992:i:4:p:517-555
    DOI: 10.1177/095001709264001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Paul Teague, 1990. "The Political Economy of the Regulation School and the Flexible Specialisation Scenario," Journal of Economic Studies, Emerald Group Publishing, vol. 17(5), pages 32-54, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Dinlersoz, Emin & Greenwood, Jeremy, 2016. "The rise and fall of unions in the United States," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 129-146.

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