The internal dependency relationship in “Japanized” organizations : Experiences of a UK automotive component company

This article provides a descriptive account of the impact of new production methods and the consequences for the internal dependency relationship. The case study examples illustrate the nature of the internal dependency relationship under the new production methods and attempts to assess how this internal dependency relationship interacts with increasing devolved responsibility, problem solving and continuous improvement at source, and the use of increased information at shop floor level. Implications for future management of these dependencies are examined.