Paul Simon Adler: Democratic taylorism: The Toyota Production System at NUMMI

The human aspects of Japanese manufacturing management techniques, in particular those embodied in the Toyota production system, are currently under intense debate. Do they represent a good model for the future of theAmerican workplace? Some observers applaud the approach’s reliance on team work, workers’ problem-solving and multi-skilling. Other observers denounce what they see as work intensification, management by stress, and ultra-Taylorism.

By Paul Simon Adler