¶ … Hotplates Case Study
What changes in the work situation might account for the increase in productivity and the decrease in controllable rejects? Changes in the redesign and distribution of workflow and increase in work responsibility of the employees accounted for both an increase in productivity and the resultant decrease in controllable defects. This redesign looked at the way the hotplate was being constructed, and then allowed workers to assemble a unit of the product instead of a simple part again and again. The workers then felt more empowered, that they had ownership in the final product, and were more likely to take responsibility for appropriate and expert construction. By giving the employees more responsibility, they then were also more accountable and felt more pride in their work.
Gaining ownership and more pride in the work was also the result of a change in psychology for the employee and managers. The employee was treated more as an important part of the process -- an individual creating a hot plate instead of just a cog in a large machine. The employees...
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