Forcing the Factory of the Future: Cybernation and Societal Institutions - Hardcover

Jones, Bryn

 
9780521572064: Forcing the Factory of the Future: Cybernation and Societal Institutions
Hardcover
ISBN 10: 0521572061 ISBN 13: 9780521572064
Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1997

Synopsis

Is computerised production transforming work roles, as recent debates about flexible specialisation and post-Fordist manufacturing suggest? This book focuses on the key case of metalworking batch production in Britain, Italy, Japan and the USA. Looking at technological, political and social developments from a comparative perspective, it suggests that comprehensive factory principles never fully replaced workshop organisation. Drawing on empirical case studies of flexible manufacturing systems, Bryn Jones offers a new distinction between the bureaucratic bias of Taylorism and the product standardisation approach of Fordism, and questions whether computerised production is transcending Fordism. Instead of the often predicted models of deskilled, centrally controlled work, or a decentralised craft renaissance, he shows a greater likelihood of national variations between factory and workshop principles continuing into the contemporary age of computerisation.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

Book Description

This book is a comparative study of computerised automation in the metalworking industry in Britain, Italy, Japan and the USA. Analysing technological, political and social developments, it offers first-hand fieldwork data on organisational differences, together with a conceptual distinction between Taylorism and Fordism.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Publication date
1997
Language
English
ISBN 10 
0521572061
ISBN 13 
9780521572064
Binding
Hardcover
Number of pages
318