The Impact of Lean Production and Related New Systems of Work Organization on Worker Health

New systems of work organization, such as lean production and total quality management, have been introduced by employers throughout the industrialized world to improve productivity, quality, and profitability. However, few studies have examined the impact of such systems on occupational injuries or...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of occupational health psychology 1999-04, Vol.4 (2), p.108-130
Main Authors: Landsbergis, Paul A, Cahill, Janet, Schnall, Peter
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Automobiles
Comorbidity
Cumulative Trauma Disorders - epidemiology
Economics - statistics & numerical data
Female
Human
Humans
Industry - manpower
Industry - organization & administration
Industry - statistics & numerical data
Job Characteristics
Job Satisfaction
Male
Models, Organizational
Occupational Diseases - epidemiology
Occupational Safety
Occupational Stress
Organizational Innovation
Personnel
Stress, Psychological - epidemiology
United States - epidemiology
Work Schedule Tolerance
Working Conditions
Workload - psychology
Workload - statistics & numerical data
Workplace - organization & administration
Workplace - psychology
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Summary:New systems of work organization, such as lean production and total quality management, have been introduced by employers throughout the industrialized world to improve productivity, quality, and profitability. However, few studies have examined the impact of such systems on occupational injuries or illnesses or on job characteristics related to job strain, which has been linked to hypertension and cardiovascular disease. The studies reviewed provide little evidence to support the hypothesis that lean production "empowers" auto workers. In fact, auto industry studies suggest that lean production creates intensified work pace and demands. Increases in decision authority and skill levels are modest or temporary, whereas decision latitude typically remains low. Thus, such work can be considered to have job strain. In jobs with ergonomic stressors, intensification of labor appears to lead to increases in musculoskeletal disorders. The evidence for adverse health effects remains inconclusive for related new work systems in other industries, such as modular manufacturing or patient-focused care.
ISSN:1076-8998
1939-1307
DOI:10.1037/1076-8998.4.2.108