Lean-inspired development work in agriculture: Implications for the work environment
Laen...
Kuupäev
2020
Kättesaadav alates
Autorid
Ajakirja pealkiri
Ajakirja ISSN
Köite pealkiri
Kirjastaja
Abstrakt
Farmers operate in a turbulent environment that includes international competition,
weather conditions and animal behaviour, for example, and is difficult for them to control.
However, economy and productivity always have a high priority. As a consequence, farms have
started to implement lean-inspired work systems. At the same time, health and safety are of urgent
concern in the sector. This article explores how famers apply lean-inspired work processes. It
identifies work environment changes during and after a lean implementation, as well as possible
developments in the work environment following implementation of the lean philosophy. Data
were collected from three groups: lean, lean-light and development-inclined reference farms (in
total 54 farms), using a questionnaire and interviews. The results indicate that a majority of the
lean farms were applying several lean principles and tools, and the lean philosophy. The leanlight farms applied parts of the lean concept, while the reference farms applied some of the more
general tools, used in lean and elsewhere, such as visualisation in various forms and to various
extents. The results showed positive effects of lean on the psychosocial work environment, better
work structure and improved information, communication and co-operation. The physical work
environment was improved to some extent by lean, where advantages such as a more structured
and practical work environment with less physical movements and locomotion could be noticed.
The lean concept provided a more structured and systematic approach to dealing with work and
production environmental issues, for managers as well as for employees.
Kirjeldus
Märksõnad
farm, farm business, Lean Production, physical work environment, psychosocial work environment, safety and health, structure, work organisation, articles