This article compares systems of work and production in the German, Spanish, French and Japanese machine-building industries and draws some methodological and conceptual conclusions. The analysis shows a common basic structure of work but with nation-specific variations. France displays a more rigid division of labour than Germany, while Japan shows more functional differentiation. In Spain there is a marked difference between formal and informal organization: a paradoxical mix of `Taylorist' bureaucratic structures and craft elements. In the late 1980s, tight economic constraints initiated a phase of change and experimentation in national models of production and work, and new types of national and regional variation are emerging. The findings of this article support `neo-contingency' theories at the micro (plant and company) level, but `societal effects' seem to be more important at the meso and macro levels (structure of industry and economy).
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Berggren, C.
(1992) Alternatives to Lean Production. Ithaca: ILR Press.
2.
Belanger, J.
, Berggren, C., Bjorkman, T. and Kohler, C. (eds) (forthcoming) ABB and the Meaning of being Local Worldwide. An International Study on the Future of Work within ABB Power Transformers. New York: Cornell University Press.
3.
Belanger, J.
, Edwards, P.K. and Haiven, L. eds (1994) Workplace Industrial Relations and the Global Challenge. Ithaca: ILR Press.
4.
Boyer, R.
(1991) New Directions in Management Practices and Work Organization. CEPREMAP Working Paper 9130. Paris: CEPREMAP.
5.
Castillo, J.J.
(1991) `Reestructuracion productiva y organizaci6n del trabajo', in F Miguelez and C. Prieto (eds) Las relaciones laborales en Espania, pp. 23-42. Madrid: Siglo XXI.
6.
Cressey, P.
and Jones, B. (1995) Work and Employment in Europe: A New Convergence?London: Routledge.
7.
Deppe, R.
(1992) `Bilanz der verlorenen Zeit, Industriearbeit, Leistung und Herrschaft in der DDR und in Ungarn', in R. Deppe, H. Dubiel and U. Rodel (eds) Demokratischer Umbruch in Osteuropa, pp 126-150. Frankfurt: Suhrkamp.
8.
Fernaindez Steinko, A.
(1993) `La competividad en el sector de maquina'ria mecanica: una comparacion Alemania-Espafia', Economia Industrial291: 163-172.
9.
Fox, A.
(1974) Beyond Contract: Work, Power and Trust Relations. London: Faber.
10.
Hildebrandt, E.
(ed.) (1991) Betriebliche Sozialverfassung unter Veranderungsdruck. Berlin: Edition Sigma.
11.
Hirsch-Kreinsen, H.
(1994) `Die Internationalisierung der Produktion: Wandel von Rationalisierungsstrategien und Konsequenzen fur Industriearbeit', Zeitschrift fur Soziologie23(6): 434-446.
12.
Homs, O.
, Kruse, W., Ordovas, R. and Pries, L. (1987/88) `Cambios en las empresas y requerimientos de cualificaci6n en Espaina', Sociologia del Trabajo1(2): 101-115.
13.
Hyman, R.
and Ferner, A. eds (1994) New Frontiers in European Industrial Relations. Oxford: Blackwell.
14.
Jiirgens, U.
(1993) `National and Company Differences in Organizing Production Work in the Car Industry', in B. Kogut (ed.) Country Competitiveness, pp. 75-95. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
15.
Juirgens, U.
and Naschold, F. (1992) `Arbeitsregulierung in der BRD im Spannungsfeld zwischen nationalen Gestaltungsstrategien und internationaler Produktivitatskonkurrenz', in G. Simonis (ed.) Politische Techniksteuerung. Opladen.
16.
Kern, H.
and Schumann, M. (1993) `Rationalization and Work in German Industry', in B. Kogut (ed.) Country Competitiveness, pp. 99-105. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
17.
Köhler, C.
(1994) `Existe un modelo de produccion espaiiol?', Sociologia del Trabajo20: 3-31.
18.
Köhler, C.
(1995) `Arbeits- und Produktionssysteme des Maschinenbaus im internationalen Vergleich: Deutschland, Spanien, Frankreich und Japan', Industrielle Beziehungen2(3): 223-250.
19.
Köhler, C.
(forthcoming) `The Spanish Leap from Early- to Post-Taylorism: Speed Up or Short Cut?', in J. Belangeret al. (eds) ABB and the Meaning of being Local Worldwide. An International Study on the Future of Work within ABB Power Transformers. New York: Cornell University Press.
20.
Köhler, C.
and Schmierl, K. (1992) `Technological Innovation: Organizational Conservatism?', in N. Altmann, C. Köhler and P. Meil (eds) Technology and Work in German Industry, pp. 142-159. London: Routledge.
21.
Leborgne, D.
(1987) Equipements flexibles et organisation productive: Les relations industrielles au coeur de la modernisation. Elements de comparaison internationale. CEPREMAP Working Paper. Paris: CEPREMAP
22.
Lutz, B.
(1992) `Education and Job Hierarchies: Contrasting Evidence from France and Germany', in N. Altmann, C. Kohler and P. Meil (eds) Technology and Work in German Industry, pp. 257-273. London: Routledge.
23.
Maurice, M.
, Mannari, H., Takeoka, Y. and Inoki, T. (1988) Des enterprises francoises et Japonaises face a la mecatronique. Aix-en-Provence: LEST.
24.
Maurice, M.
, Sellier, F. and Silvestre, J.-J. (1984) The Social Foundations of Industrial Power: A Comparison of France and Germany. Cambridge: MIT Press.
25.
Maurice, M.
, Sorge, A. and Warner, M. (1980) `Societal Differences in Organizing Manufacturing Units: A Comparison of France, West Germany and Great Britain', Organization Studies1: 59-86.
26.
Merchiers, J.
(1990) Travail et emploi dans la Metallurgie. CEREQ Document de Travail no. 57. Paris: CEREQ.
27.
Miguelez, F.
and Prieto, C. eds (1991) Las relaciones laborales en Espania. Madrid: Siglo XXI.
28.
Moldaschl, M.
(1994) `Lean Production im Maschinenbau? Argumente fur einen eigenstandigen Weg', in M. Moldaschl and R. Schultz-Wild eds Arbeitsorientierte Rationalisierung: Fertigungsinseln und Gruppenarbeit im Maschinenbau, pp. 249-293. Frankfurt: Campus.
29.
Moldaschl, M.
and Schultz-Wild, R. eds (1994) Arbeitsorientierte Rationalisierung: Fertigungsinseln und Gruppenarbeit im Maschinenbau. Frankfurt: Campus.
30.
Nomura, M.
(1991) `Social Conditions for CIM in Japan: A Case Study of a Machine Tool Company', in E. Hildebrandt (ed.) Betriebliche Sozialverfassung unter Veranderungsdruck, pp. 276-304. Berlin: Edition Sigma.
31.
Sauer, D.
, Deig, M., Dohl, V., Bieber, D. and Altmann, N. (1992) `Systemic Rationalization and Inter-Company Divisions of Labour', in N. Altmann, C. Kohler and P. Meil (eds) Technology and Work in German Industry, pp. 46-62. London: Routledge.
32.
Sengenberger, W.
(1992) `Vocational Training, Job Structures and the Labour Market: An International Perspective', in N. Altmann, C. Kohler and P. Meil (eds) Technology and Work in German Industry, pp. 142-159. London: Routledge.
33.
SERCOBE (Asociacion Nacional de Fabricantes de Bienes de Equipo)
(1991-5a) La industria espafiola de bienes de equipo. Madrid: SERCOBE.
34.
SERCOBE
(1991-5b) La industria europea de bienes de equipo. Madrid: SERCOBE.
35.
Smith, C.
and Meiksins, P. (1995) `System, Society and Dominance: Effects in Cross-National Organizational Analysis', Work, Employment & Society9: 241-267.
36.
Sorge, A.
(1991) `Strategic Fit and Societal Effect: Interpreting Cross-National Comparisons of Technology, Organization and Human Resources', Organization Studies12(2): 161-190.
37.
Sorge, A.
and Maurice, M. (1990) `The Societal Effect in Strategies and Competitiveness of Machine-tool Manufacturers in France and West Germany', International Journal of Human Resource Management1(2): 141-172.
38.
Sorge, A.
and Warner, M. (1986) Comparative Factory Organization. An Anglo German Comparison of Management and Manpower in Manufacturing. Aldershot: Gower.
39.
Toharia, L.
(1986) `Un fordismo inacabado: Entre la transicion politica y la crisis economica: Espania', in R. Boyer (ed.) La flexibilidad del trabajo en Europa, pp. 161-184. Madrid: Ministerio de Trabajo.
40.
VDMA (Verein Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau)
(1991-95) Handbucb 1990-1994. Frankfurt: VDMA.
