Fitting Teams to the Task: Product Development Vs. Operations Improvement at Saturn and Nummi
Author(s)
Fine, Charles H.
Novak, Sharon (Economist)
Date Issued
September 3, 2002
Abstract
In the automotive industry, Saturn and NUMMI are often touted as
exemplars of successful implementation of manufacturing employee
involvement. Building on data and extended on-site interviews, this paper
explores the differences between the approaches taken at each plant and the
relationship between worker involvement and plant performance. Based on this
comparison, we offer a model to assess the fit between employee involvement
activity emphasis (product development vs. operations improvement) and
timescale of the involvement process.
Subjects
Nummi
operations development
product development
Saturn
Persistent DSpace Link
