Employee-Initiated Activities and Evaluation System
In fiscal 2008, Nissan added the “environment” factor to the range of kaizen
activities carried out by quality control (QC) circles. This creates a
mechanism that encourages employees to think proactively and propose
ideas to improve environmental aspects of Nissan’s business. Managers
encourage employees’ active participation by communicating how these QC
circle activities are linked to achievement of the goals in Nissan Power 88,*
the company’s mid-term business plan through fiscal 2016. The ideas
proposed by employees go to managers and QC circle secretariats for
assessment of their potential contribution to environmental improvement,
among other factors, after which Nissan implements them.
The knowledge and skills of the frontline employees on CO2 emissions
reduction, energy management, water conservation, and waste and landfill
reduction have been compiled in a best-practices manual and shared among
global facilities. A system to reduce cooling-tower water use was born from
this activity. An Energy Efficiency Contest is also conducted in some
facilities during February, the officially designated energy conservation
month in Japan. These programs keep employees motivated to participate in
environmental activities