title: Lean production tools and decision latitude enable conditions for innovative learning in organizations: a multilevel analysis.
abstract: The effect of lean production on conditions for learning is debated. This study aimed to investigate how tools inspired by lean production (standardization, resource reduction, visual monitoring, housekeeping, value flow analysis) were associated with an innovative learning climate and with collective dispersion of ideas in organizations, and whether decision latitude contributed to these associations. A questionnaire was sent out to employees in public, private, production and service organizations (n = 4442). Multilevel linear regression analyses were used. Use of lean tools and decision latitude were positively associated with an innovative learning climate and collective dispersion of ideas. A low degree of decision latitude was a modifier in the association to collective dispersion of ideas. Lean tools can enable shared understanding and collective spreading of ideas, needed for the development of work processes, especially when decision latitude is low. Value flow analysis played a pivotal role in the associations.
authors.affiliation: Helix VINN Excellence Centre, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden; National Centre for Work and Rehabilitation, Dept. of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden. Electronic address: anna-carin.fagerlind.stahl@liu.se.
authors.forename: Anna-Carin
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Fagerlind Ståhl
authors.affiliation: Helix VINN Excellence Centre, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden; Unit of Education and Sociology, Dept. of Behavior Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden. Electronic address: maria.gustavsson@liu.se.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gustavsson
authors.affiliation: National Centre for Work and Rehabilitation, Dept. of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden. Electronic address: nadine.karlsson@liu.se.
authors.forename: Nadine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Karlsson
authors.affiliation: Occupational Medicine, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, SE-17176, Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: gun.johansson@ki.se.
authors.forename: Gun
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Johansson
authors.affiliation: Helix VINN Excellence Centre, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden; National Centre for Work and Rehabilitation, Dept. of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden. Electronic address: kerstin.ekberg@liu.se.
authors.forename: Kerstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ekberg
mesh_terms: D003657:Decision Making; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D005260:Female; D006077:Government Agencies / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019981:Health Care Sector / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D016014:Linear Models; D009111:Local Government; D008297:Male; D066192:Manufacturing Industry / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D012044:Regression Analysis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden; D017132:Workplace / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology
keywords: Job resources; Learning climate; Psychosocial work conditions