New Manufacturing Strategies and Labour in Latin America

Abstract

Latin American scholars have shown considerable interest in the spread of Japanese methods in the continent and their potential impact on labour. Evidence from case studies shows intensive use of techniques such as multitasking, team-working, statistical process control and cellular manufacture. In some cases, firms have invested heavily in education and training in order to make viable new production strategies, and there is some evidence of attempts to stabilize labour forces and establish better plant-level relations with workers. This apparent break with the practices of peripheral Fordism does not appear to be accompanied by improvements in company-union relations. Where unions are strong, management have attempted to undermine union power. Where unions are weak, managements have continued to deny the legitimacy and relevance of union represcntation. Companies seek the flexibility to rnake labour work harder as well as smarter, and they are introducing individualized assessment and incentive schemes ...