The people dimension in manufacturing strategy: contextual factors influencing a joint view

Paper in proceeding, 2014

This paper explicates the contextual factors influencing the workers’ perceptions of the MS, and hence, the possibilities for a joint view between workers and managers. The paper is based on in depth interviews with 16 workers in four metal working SMEs in Sweden. The contextual factors can be viewed at two levels: individual and organisational. This paper contributes to richer descriptions of what the individual and organisational contextual factors incorporate, and to the clarification of the important role communication channels plays for the possibilities of a joint view. Thereby, contributing to increased knowledge on the manufacturing strategy formation process.