Advanced manufacturing technologies and strategically flexible production

Abstract

This paper deals with the role of advanced manufacturing technologies (AMT) within the context of changes in the basic principles to organize and manage manufacturing systems. In particular, the use and effectiveness of various technologies and their computer‐based integration are investigated in the light of three emerging principles: (i) strategic multi‐focusedness, (ii) process integration across functions, and (iii) process ownership. Together, these principles are referred to as Strategically Flexible Production (SFP). In an international sample of 392 manufacturing units from the metal‐working industry, the use of AMT is analyzed in three groups: core adopters, partial adopters or non‐adopters of SFP. Data show that while core adopters do not use stand‐alone AMT more than the other groups, they have a higher level of computer integration (CI), in particular in their forefront departments. However, the use of integrating technologies varies much within the core adopters, suggesting that SFP does not necessarily require massive information technology (IT) support. This is further confirmed by the analysis of performance improvements. The mere adoption of stand‐alone AMT per se does not provide companies with superior improvements in performance. On the contrary, SFP alone or combined with a higher level of integration of stand‐alone AMT fosters increased time responsiveness.

The impact of external market factors on the operational practices and performance of companies

“…The literature is also inconclusive concerning the relationship between the use of advanced manufacturing technologies and firm performance (see e.g. Vokurka et al, 2000 andSwamidass -Kotha, 1998), though the adoption of stand-alone AMTs in itself does not trigger improvements in performance (Cagliano -Spina, 2000).…”

Contexto industrial en competitividad: estrategia de manufactura y tecnología en producción

“…Los investigadores han encontrado efectos directos positivos y significativas de GT en RO (Boyer et al, 1996;FlynnandFlynn, 1999;Maier and Schroeder, 2001;Tsai, 2004;Raymond, 2005) o en medida de RO como productividad, calidad y flexibilidad (Gyan Baffour, 1994;Beede and Young, 1998), pero también existe evidencia empírica que no apoya la relación EM-RO (Beaumont and Schroeder, 1997;Boyer et al, 1997;Swamidass and Kotha, 1998;Cagliano and Spina, 2000;Das andJayaram, 2003, Machuca et al, 2011). Algunos investigadores refieren este patrón de resultado inconcluso o variable a la influencia de factores contingentes, como el tamaño de la planta, tipo de proceso de manufactura, métodos de organización laboral y estrategia de competitividad (Sun andGertsen, 1995, Swamidass andKotha, 1998;Cagliano and Spina, 2000). Sin embargo, aunque los efectos de EM en RO no son claros, hasta las variables contextuales están presentes.…”

“…En la literatura, hemos encontrado evidencia positiva que la GT mejora el RO (Boyer et al, 1996;Flynn and Flynn, 1999;Maier and Schroeder, 2001;Tsai, 2004;Raymond, 2005;Machuca et al, 2011). Sin embargo, algunos estudios han concluido que la GT no influye en el RO (Beaumont and Schroeder, 1997;Boyer et al, 1997;Swamidass and Kotha, 1998;Cagliano and Spina, 2000;Das and Jayaram, 2003) debido a la variedad de factores contingentes. Dichas contradicciones implican la necesidad de mayor y nueva evidencia empírica en la interrelación entre GT y RO tomando en cuenta las variables contextuales.…”

Parameter Adaptive

“…10 Gantt chart of a typical job Ji with n tasks much more effective and efficient (Chryssolouris et al 2008). From the early years of the introduction of numerical control and all the way to today's better communication and information exchange, collaborative design, machining centers, manufacturing cells and flexible systems, costs, and increased power have been the main advantages of ICT (Cagliano and Spina 2003). The modern Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems often provide optimization capabilities, resulting in cost and time savings for a variety of manufacturing processes.…”