Characteristics of work organization in lean production and sociotechnical systems: A case study

Several human factors in the present and prospective situation of an automotive assembly shop were examined with respect to the concepts of lean production (LP) and sociotechnical systems. The work organization was evaluated by means of four principles: of “minimal critical specification” which refers to the co‐ordination mechanism that is used; the principle of “boundaries”, which refers to the extent to which teams are autonomous; “multifunctionality” which has to do with the division of labour into small or whole tasks; and “human values”, which deals with the way workers are motivated. In the present situation some factors are more in line with lean production, while others fit in with sociotechnical systems, although the actual overall state conforms more with lean production. The future position will be more consistent, but still more in line with LP, mainly because of the characteristics of the work processes.