Human resource issues in manufacturing improvement initiatives: Case study experiences in australia

Abstract

This article examines, using a case study format, companies that have attempted to introduce just-in-time, total quality management, and advanced manufacturing technologies as new manufacturing improvement initiatives. In all cases, it was found that the new systems cannot simply be placed into an organization without carefully attending to a number of human resource issues such as training and skills, cooperation and involvement, and overall work culture. In manufacturing management practice, the case studies indicate that although the content of new systems is well understood, the human resource process issues associated with implementing change are not.