Just-in-time workforce? Temporary workers as a structural aspect of lean production in the US auto industry

Temporary employment is estimated to be around 20% of the US auto industry. Based on extensive fieldwork at the big three Japanese factories (Toyota, Honda and Nissan) and auto suppliers, this paper documents the impact of temporary workers on the shop floor and their role in the context of lean production. This article fills an important gap in the existing research as one of the few empirical studies that examine the effects of temp work in the auto industry. The authors conclude that the just-in-time workforce as a human buffer for sick or injured team members and an addition when production volume goes up is a core structural aspect of lean production. The lean, loyal and long-term principles of mature lean production to protect permanent workers are based on the disloyal and short-term use of temporary workers.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.1504/IJATM.2018.092189
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/14709511
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Copyright © 2018 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.
• Authors:
  • Lepadatu, Darina
  • Janoski, Thomas
• Publication Date: 2018

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: References;
• Pagination: pp 160-177
• Serial:
  • International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management
  • Volume: 18
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: Inderscience Enterprises Limited
  • ISSN: 1470-9511
  • Serial URL: http://www.inderscience.com/jhome.php?jcode=IJATM

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automobile industry; Manufacturing; Workforce
• Uncontrolled Terms: Lean production; Temporary employment
• Geographic Terms: Japan; United States
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Economics; Highways; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01675484
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 19 2018 2:45PM