Self-managed teams in the auto components industry: Construction of a theoretical model
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Data
2010
Autores
Pais, Celso Luis Alves
Título da revista
ISSN da revista
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Editora
Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Resumo
Purpose – The overall purpose of this paper is to explain theoretically the autonomy phenomenon of teams working within the auto manufacturing context and its implications for the technical and social aspects of group work.
Design/methodology/approach – Three auto component companies were studied. The procedures of a qualitative methodology were followed, adopting naturalistic observation techniques of work teams, and unstructured and semi-structured interviews conducted with operators, supervisors and middle managers. To analyse and interpret the qualitative data obtained, the grounded theory technique was used.
Findings – In this paper 33 concepts were obtained, which resulted from the constant comparative method applied to data. The relationships between those concepts allowed the construction of a theoretical model that is settled in the “bridge” concept. This “bridge” is a metaphor that translates the process which binds operational work group goals to the needs of external clients. This process is supported by social aspects – team decision making, participation, mutual helpfulness, and social and emotional relationships, and by technical aspects – operations and information. The bridge has four pillars that are critical to the effective functioning of self-directed teams: team facilitation, hierarchical relationships established within the teams, quality of manufactured components, and productivity achieved.
Research limitations/implications – The present investigation was carried out in a specific industry, which does not allow for the generalization of the model to other industries. Furthermore, it may be questioned whether the same results be obtained if the operators of the teams observed were interviewed, not individually, but in a group situation. Other kinds of research design and other industries organized on the basis of autonomous work groups must be studied, applying the grounded theory technique, in order to compare diverse theoretical models.
Practical implications – The organization of the industrial automotive production based on self-directed teams, which know the needs of external customers and to whom a high level of participation in operational decisions was given, can generate a substantial increase of working groups' efficiency and an increase in job satisfaction.
Originality/value – The study of teams in the automotive components industry – in a southern country of Europe – and the consequent elaboration of a specific theoretical model draws attention to the need for social research that takes into account the fact that realities are constructed by the actors who interact in a certain context. No theoretical model can ever encompass the reality of all contexts.
Descrição
The author would like to thank the human resource managers of the three manufacturing companies that were studied for their kind gestures and their supply of data concerning organizational structure and functioning.
Palavras-chave
Team working, Leadership, Group theory, Automotive components industry, Organizations
Citação
Pais, C. L. A. (2010). Self-managed teams in the auto components industry: Construction of a theoretical model, Team Performance Management, 16(7/8), 359 - 387