%0 Journal Article %T Semi-Autonomous Work Team Implementation in Manufacturing Cells Using a Simplified Project Management %A LA Junior %J Business and Economics Journal %D 2011 %I %X A change in a social system such as semi-autonomous work team can be conducted in both ways - change management andproject management - according to literature. This work developed a simplified project management methodology toimplement self-management cells that are a type of organization in which employee groups are in charge of a completesequence of work in the production process of goods for internal or external clients. The objective is to adapt a methodologyused in project management as a way of organizing change to allow the empowerment of the workers in the manufacturingcells, through identifying the requirements for implementation and assessment of the self-directed concept. This work is aresult of nine years of research-action methodology applied to a self-management cell in an auto parts manufacturing companyand accomplished the implementation of semi-autonomous work teams. Improvements were achieved in logistics andinventory reduction, both for parts and for machining tools. The financial consequences of these improvements showed abreak-even of the invested amount within 8 months. %K Semi-autonomous work team %K self-management cell %K change management %K self-directed work teams %K simplified %U http://astonjournals.com/manuscripts/Vol2011/BEJ-27_Vol2011.pdf