Flexibility and Workers' Skill Development of Foundries in Hokkaido

Abstract

This study examines the flexibility and workers' skill development of small and medium-sized foundries in the central district of Hokkaido. They are located far from Honshu, which is the main market of their products. Small and medium-sized foundries, especially those not included in a subcontract system, have to produce many kinds of products on demand. Foundries want to hire workers capable of making various products, or want to give workers training on such skills. I point out two types of skills of foundry workers, i.e., “wide” and “deep” skills. “Wide” skills mean that he/she can produce many kinds of products. “Deep” skills mean that he/she can think an image of products and plan how to produce them. I classify the 13 foundries I surveyed into four types. Type A foundries are not subcontract factories and have to respond to many kinds of orders. Their flexibility is high. The type of skills required by these firms is both wide and deep. Type B foundries are not subcontract factories, either, but mass-produce parts for waterworks of local governments. Due to limited flexibility, these foundries require employees to have only wide skills. Type C foundries are subcontract factories and make parts for waterworks for a parent company. Their flexibility is low. The type of skills required by these firms is limited wide skills. And Type D foundries are subcontract factories but must accept many orders for several parents companies. Since their flexibility is high, they require employees to have wide and deep skills.