Technology and Social Structure in a Japanese Automobile Factory

Abstract

The present research investigates the ways in which the Japanese-factory social structure mitigates the alienating effects of auto-assembly technology. The Japanese employee enjoys dual work roles; as an assembler and as a member of the company community. Because these roles are insulatedfrom one another, his negative reaction to the immediate job fails to contaminate his relationship with the enterprise, which he experiences primarily as a member of its community.