Subject category:
Human Resource Management / Organisational Behaviour
Published by:
IBS Center for Management Research
Length: 14 pages
Data source: Published sources
Abstract
The case discusses the efforts made by the Swedish automobile major - Volvo AB towards improving the work conditions at its facilities through job enrichment programmes. In its efforts to reduce the instances of employee turnover and absenteeism in its manufacturing facilities, Volvo introduced innovative job enrichment programmes including job rotation, management employee councils, small work groups, change implementation and employee oriented facilities. These programmes helped the company to understand the importance of designing its facilities according to the work design and employees'' requirements. Volvo was one of the first automobile companies to deviate from the traditional assembly line system and adopt a more employee-centric approach for manufacturing automobiles. The case is structured to enable the students to: (1) understand the importance of implementing job enrichment programmes in the automobile manufacturing company; (2) get insights into how the theoretical concepts of job enrichment could be practically implemented in a manufacturing company; (3) understand the new system of automobile production based on the employee friendly socio-technical approach; and (4) debate on the efficacy of Volvo''s socio-technical approach in the long term. The case is intended to be part of the human resource management curriculum for MBA/PGDBA students.
About
Abstract
The case discusses the efforts made by the Swedish automobile major - Volvo AB towards improving the work conditions at its facilities through job enrichment programmes. In its efforts to reduce the instances of employee turnover and absenteeism in its manufacturing facilities, Volvo introduced innovative job enrichment programmes including job rotation, management employee councils, small work groups, change implementation and employee oriented facilities. These programmes helped the company to understand the importance of designing its facilities according to the work design and employees'' requirements. Volvo was one of the first automobile companies to deviate from the traditional assembly line system and adopt a more employee-centric approach for manufacturing automobiles. The case is structured to enable the students to: (1) understand the importance of implementing job enrichment programmes in the automobile manufacturing company; (2) get insights into how the theoretical concepts of job enrichment could be practically implemented in a manufacturing company; (3) understand the new system of automobile production based on the employee friendly socio-technical approach; and (4) debate on the efficacy of Volvo''s socio-technical approach in the long term. The case is intended to be part of the human resource management curriculum for MBA/PGDBA students.