Lean production can enhance internal social responsibility, but dialogue with staff is key
M.Sc. Timo Vilpponen examined the significance of implementing a lean-inspired production system for an organisation’s internal social responsibility across three different employee groups: workers, supervisors, and middle managers.
According to the study, the implementation of the lean-inspired production approach was perceived to affect the following factors: systematic management, collaboration and interaction, information flow, adherence to schedules, continuous improvement, increased observation, addressing problem situations, work environment, bureaucracy and reporting, management through readily available metrics, and increased employee poly-competence.
“More systematic management, improved communication, and increased collaboration and interaction were seen to enhance job satisfaction, occupational safety, and the safety and quality of products,” says Timo Vilpponen. “In contrast, increased bureaucracy, reporting requirements, and time pressure were perceived to especially reduce job satisfaction.”
The study also highlighted contradictory experiences related to the increase in poly-competence.
“While poly-competence was seen as beneficial for strengthening employee competence and improving work planning, concerns were raised that in-depth expertise might be compromised, which affected all areas examined.”
Lean-inspired production and internal social responsibility within the organisation – success depends on dialogue
Vilpponen’s doctoral dissertation highlights that the lean-inspired production system can improve an organisation’s internal social responsibility at all organisational levels.
“The successful use of lean principles requires continuous evaluation, development, and dialogue with staff to prevent potential negative effects,” says Vilpponen.
Vilpponen’s doctoral dissertation deepens the understanding of how the implementation of a lean-inspired production system impacts an organisation’s internal social responsibility and offers valuable research insights based on in-depth qualitative analysis.
M.Sc. Timo Vilpponen will defend his doctoral dissertation “The importance of the lean inspired production method for the corporate internal social responsibility in a Finnish food company” on Friday 26 September 2025 at 12 noon in Auditorium 2, Agora building, Mattilanniemi. His opponent is Professor Hanna Lehtimäki (University of Eastern Finland) and the custos is Senior University Lecturer Tommi Auvinen (University of Jyväskylä). The event will be held in Finnish.
Learn more about Timo Vilpponen’s doctoral dissertation.
More information:
Timo Vilpponen
timo.t.vilpponen@student.jyu.fi
