Tehdäissä

Tehdäissä is a Finnish neologism that refers to a mode of industrial practice and social organization in which factories function as sites of collaborative design and production, integrating workers, engineers, designers, and local communities in the full lifecycle of products.

Etymology and usage: The term is formed from tehtas meaning factory, plus -ssä meaning in, with a suffix that marks a collective field or practice. It has appeared in Finnish academic and industry discussions since the 2010s, particularly in writings on participatory design, co-creation, and industrial democracy. The definition varies in different sources, reflecting ongoing debates about implementation and scope.

Concept and characteristics: Tehdäissä emphasizes participatory design processes, open spaces within the factory, and the use of digital fabrication tools. It advocates flexible manufacturing and shared decision making about product specifications, production methods, and working conditions. Projects typically involve workshops, rapid prototyping, and transparency about costs, risks, and environmental impact.

Impact and reception: Proponents argue that tehdäissä can accelerate innovation, improve job satisfaction, and strengthen local communities by aligning production with social needs. Critics warn of potential productivity trade-offs, the need for substantial training, and regulatory or logistical challenges in large-scale adoption. The concept often requires organizational culture change and new governance structures.

Relation to other concepts: Tehdäissä is linked to participatory design, worker co-operatives, open manufacturing, and the broader idea of industrial democracy. It is typically discussed as a framework or aspiration rather than a fixed model, with varied practices across companies and sectors.

See also: participatory design, worker co-operatives, open manufacturing, industrial democracy.