TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGES AND WORKERS PARTICIPATION IN THE JAPANESE SHIPBUILDING INDUSTRY.

The Japanese shipbuilding industry as a socio-technical system is examined in terms of the interaction of technological changes and worker commitment. The high level of employee suggestions is discussed along with general background factors that helped establish Japan's reputation as a world leader in shipbuilding, which became a model for other industries. Innovations such as multiskill targeting are described as well as the components of Japanese on-the-job training in the industry. Finally, there is a discussion of possible problems in the future, and of current ideas on rebuilding the industry, which has suffered a severe decline in recent years due to the worldwide slump in order.