Employee involvement practices in lean manufacturing: a multi-method approach
Résumé
This research aims to identify the primary practices that drive employee involvement efforts in lean manufacturing. We adopted a multi-method study methodology based on two methodological phases. First, we identified a preliminary listing of practices by conducting a systematic literature review (SLR). Second, this list has been validated by seven experts. The main result is a list of 15 employee involvement practices in lean manufacturing. Considering the characteristics of these practices, they were classified into three categories: motivation practices, human resource management (HRM) practices, and operational practices. The most referenced practices in the literature are those connected to motivational elements, namely group decision-making; education programs, training, and personal development; promoting empowerment and autonomy to employees; and management support. The results of this study can aid managers who want to establish programs for improving employee involvement in lean systems to build a more collaborative environment.