Semco and Toyota are often held as paragons of successful management styles, yet companies find it challenging to replicate their success. This difficulty stems from the fact that copying another company’s model is not a guarantee of success. The unique contexts and histories of Semco and Toyota are intrinsic to their achievements, and these cannot be duplicated.
Semco’s democratic, employee-centric approach is a product of its specific history, while Toyota’s lean production is deeply rooted in Japanese culture. Both companies have evolved their models over time, responding to changing circumstances and lessons learned.
Copying these models without understanding their origins and evolution is a futile exercise. Instead, companies should look inward, understanding their own context and history. This introspection will allow them to develop their own unique models, tailored to their specific needs and circumstances.
It is also important to understand that these models are not static. They need to evolve and adapt over time, just like Semco and Toyota have done. This requires a commitment to continuous learning and adaptation, rather than a one-off change.
In essence, the secret to success lies not in copying others, but in understanding oneself and being willing to learn and adapt.
Go to source article: http://vision.haufe.de/blog/en/why-we-cannot-learn-a-damn-thing-from-semco-or-toyota/