Provide a critical overview of the debates on Fordism and Post Essay

Provide a critical overview of the debates on Fordism and Post -Fordism - Essay Example The post-Fordism philosophy suggests that an evolution of manufacturing towards a more flexible manufacturing process that is designed towards accommodating the information and technological age. However, not all theorists agree that this is actually a post-Fordism concept. The idea of post-Fordism is misleading, suggestive that Fordism has been abandoned or that the current philosophies are opposing. This is not true. Fordism still exists in manufacturing and the new philosophies are in line with an evolution of the originating concepts, society being created through the ways in which the worker sees his position in the world as reflected by his position within the work force. Henry Ford Henry Ford developed the design for the Model T automobile, but it was the philosophies of industrial management that he implemented that revolutionized industry. Ford was born in 1863 near Detroit, Michigan in the United States to a Father from Ireland and a mother who was born in Michigan of Belgi um parentage. Ford was a chief engineer with the Edison Illumination Company, but spent his extra time and money working on the gasoline engine. Ford designed the Model T and created a manufacturing company in order to make the auto for the public (Ford and Crowther 2006). The Model T was introduced to the public in 1908, the price on the automobile at 875 American dollars. This was a relatively low price in regard to the cost of living at the time and was intended to be affordable for the average American. Eventually, the base price on the auto dropped to around 370 dollars, a price that was more than affordable and created an empire for Henry Ford. It was not until 1927 that other models of automobiles were made at Ford. In the meantime, Ford implemented revolutionary practices that set the course for a new way of thinking about labour and wage. Industrial Sociology Welfare capitalism is found when an employer takes on the responsibility of the employee and offers welfare like ser vices. This type of employee-employer relationship provides for benefits that are beyond the wage. This can include health care, housing subsidies, and education. Ford adapted a management style that promoted loyalty throughout his organization. After experiencing a high turnover of employees, he decided to offer his workers five dollars a day plus pay medical expenses, create pensions, and provide recreational facilities in order to build employee loyalty (Jacoby 1991, p. 94). The business philosophy that was at work was in creating an atmosphere of stakeholder interest. Ford hoped that by paying the employees more and by caring for their needs, they would look at the workings of the machinery as part of their own success (Jacoby 1991, p. 94). Ford created a work culture on the floor, the employees depending on the increased pay and benefits and therefore all focused on creating the best product possible. The assembly line had taken much of the craft out of work, but the inspiratio n of stakeholder interest was intended to put that spirit of accomplishment back into the worker. The use of this type of incentive created the work culture, a society that was contained and required passing through the employment process to become a part of the group. The lines outside the plant toward the employment office were so crowded that there were days that they used a