Team-working, Restructuring and Skills in UK and Sweden

Abstract

■ This article investigates the connection between team-working, workplace learning and skills and industrial relations in six manufacturing plants in the Swedish and UK steel and metal sectors. The forms and processes of team-working observed do not conform to a stereotyped dichotomy between Swedish autonomous work organization and more hierarchical UK traditions. Our findings demonstrate the importance of product markets, sectoral effects and management processes, and the role of strategies as well as institutional structures.