The organisation of the car industry on the Setúbal peninsular

Abstract

The article analyses the Renault and AutoEuropa (Ford-VW) factories in Setúbal, with a particular focus on the globalisation process in which they are involved. The authors study various aspects: relationships with firms that supply components; technological models, and those that concern the organisation of production; human resources management policies; the different industrial relations models; and organisational cultures. The crisis of traditional models (taylorism and fordism) leads firms to try new productive systems, based on the participation and involvement of workers. Renault is closer to a system of fordism undergoing change, whereas AutoEuropa is more «toyotist» (lean production), in other words more modern, and established from scratch (a green field site). The organisational models have become hybrid, as a result of the firms adapting to national and local culture, and because of the particular features of the socio-economic context. Technical and organisational models are created and recreated when they encounter different political and cultural traditions. Industrial relations are part of the institutional system, with an emphasis on societal aspects, factors that should be stressed in studies that compare working systems internationally.