Standardisation – A Means for Creating Developing Work

• There is a debate whether standardisation leads to monotonous work and hampers motivation and creativity, or if it supports participation in the development of work and enhances creativity. The purpose of this paper was to elaborate on how work conditions and learning are influenced due to standardisation. As a basis, case studies in 10 companies where ISO 9000 had been implemented were used. The ISO standard supported some improvements of work and learning, but to a varying extent. It seems as if the most important influents on the outcome are : What is standardised? (e.g. engineering tolerances or human movements), Who makes and decides about the contents or applications of the standard? (e.g. participative or expert oriented), and How are the standardisation and implementation processes performed? (e.g. enabling or coercive). The organisational context in which the standardisation takes place seems also of great importance.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Maskinteknik -- Produktionsteknik, arbetsvetenskap och ergonomi (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Mechanical Engineering -- Production Engineering, Human Work Science and Ergonomics (hsv//eng)

Keyword

standards

total quality management

participatory ergonomics

learning

work conditions

rewarding work

Manufacturing engineering and work sciences

Produktion och arbetsvetenskap

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

kon (subject category)