Process innovation in China's furniture industry

The potential of the personnel for successful process innovation has been explored using both qualitative and quantitative methods in four Chinese furniture firms, which are pioneers of implementing advanced manufacturing technology (AMT) in China’s furniture industry. The two objectives of the study were: Firstly, exploring drivers and barriers of AMT implementation by conducting interviews with top managers and decision makers. Secondly, work motivation and job dimensions of employees during the process of AMT implementation were evaluated using an instrument which was developed functionally from the Job Diagnostic Survey (JDS). By assessing changes in the job dimensions of participants in the process between two phases of AMT implementation within one year, the potential of the employees for the successful implementation of AMT in China’s furniture industry was studied with consideration of employee characteristics, such as sex, age, educational level, occupation and work experience. The key driver identified for AMT implementation in China’s furniture industry was the need to overcome problems in production, both on the process and the human side. Main barriers were related to human aspects. In particular, psychological barriers were of importance for blue-collar workers. Problems in communication among employees and with their supervisors were more serious within the groups of young employees, the ones with a lower educational background, and the employees with less than two years of work experience in the firms. Well educated female employees play a role of growing importance. It is strongly argued that human issues are critical for the successful implementation of AMT in China’s furniture industry today. In addition, from technological and non-technological aspects, these human issues should be given more consideration by promoting higher education and occupational training and generally improving human resource management. The results of this study will not only be useful for decision makers in China’s furniture industry, but can also assist forest products industries in other countries with the introduction of new working systems. Keywords: China’s furniture industry, process innovation, human factor, advanced manufacturing technology (AMT), work psychology, work science