 From lean production to Industrie 4.0. More autonomy for employees?Florian Butollo, Ulrich Jürgens and Martin Krzywdzinski Discussion Papers, Research Group Globalization, Work, and Production from WZB Berlin Social Science Center Abstract: The article examines the relationship between lean production and Industrie 4.0 focusing on the question of autonomy in the work process. In contrast to the claim made by official Industrie 4.0 concepts that the autonomy of the employees would increase, we see in the current implementation projects a tendency towards greater standardization and control of work. This is in continuity with concepts of lean production, but neglects the participation-oriented elements of lean production such as teamwork and shop-floor-based improvement activities. Our argument is developed by analyzing practical examples from three relevant fields (digital assistance systems, data-based process management, modular assembly). The conclusions of this article also discuss the extent to which the concept of individual autonomy is suitable for the assessment of Industrie 4.0 concepts, given the high levels of interdependence already achieved in production processes. Keywords: technological change; production systems; work organization; labor relations; manufacturing; Technologischer Wandel; Produktionssysteme; Arbeitsorganisation; Arbeitsbeziehungen; Verarbeitendes Gewerbe (search for similar items in EconPapers) Downloads: (external link) Related works: Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:zbw:wzbgwp:spiii2018303 Access Statistics for this paper More papers in Discussion Papers, Research Group Globalization, Work, and Production from WZB Berlin Social Science Center Contact information at EDIRC. |
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