Meeting the Human Resource Challenges of JIT through Management Development

In a three‐year study of a firm undergoing major technical changes, the factors related to successful implementation of a JIT programme were determined. These factors could all be categorised as human relations or organisational behaviour issues and included: (1) communication skills, (2) management commitment, (3) worker commitment, and (4) appropriate performance evaluation goals. No technical factors were rated as most important to programme success. Management development training programmes that would enhance these key success factors were then identified. Training and development should include a comprehensive pilot programme, a series of initial pre‐implementation sessions, and ongoing training. The content of these sessions is discussed. Management development practitioners must recognise these behavioural needs since a behavioural focus for such technological changes is important and the engineering focus alone is not enough for the successful implementation of such major changes in an organisation.