Involving Frontline Workers in Innovation: A Case Study Compilation

摘要

In the ever increasingly competitive landscape in every industry, companies can no longer afford to underutilize the innovation potential in contributions from their front-line employees. The unique position of front line workers as a resource in improvement projects allows for more explicit consideration and knowledge of the current state of the system and an ideal state that needs to be developed. Continuing work from a previous publication, this literature review is a case study compilation of companies and studies who involved front line workers in improvement efforts. The comparison between methods and results will provide insight as to what practices are effective for integrating front line workers into the improvement process. As a compilation the comparison also takes into consideration industry, location, and size. Prominent methods of integrating front line workers into continuous improvement efforts include company culture or management through employee design, job autonomy, and open dialog or a program through continued employee education, adapted programs, or company/employee designed programs. Those companies who successfully utilize front line workers as subject matter experts in improvement efforts aid in developing a competitive edge by acting as a guiding resource for further integration of front line workers in projects.