Mapping and visualizing flexible manufacturing system in business and management: a systematic review and future agenda

Abstract

Purpose A flexible manufacturing system (FMS) helps improve the system’s performance, thus increasing its overall competitiveness. FMS is an essential component of Industry 4.0 (I4.0), which has revolutionized the way firms manufacture their products. This study aims to investigate the diverse focus of the research being published over the years and the direction of scholarly work in applying FMSs in business and management. Design/methodology/approach A total of 1,096 bibliometric data were extracted from the Scopus database from the years 2001 to 2021. A systematic review and bibliometric analysis were performed on the data and related articles for performance measurement and scientific mapping on the FMS themes. Findings Based on co-keyword, the study reveals four major themes in the FMS field: mathematical models and quantitative techniques, scheduling and optimization techniques, cellular manufacturing and decision-making in FMSs. Based on bibliometric coupling on 2018–2021 bibliometric data, four themes emerged for future research: scheduling problems in FMS, manufacturing cell formation problem, interplay of FMS with other latest technologies and I4.0 and FMS. Originality/value The originality lies in answering the following research questions: What are the most highlighting themes in FMS, and how have they evolved over the past 20 years (2001–2021)? What topics have been at the forefront of research in FMS in the past five years (2016–2021)? What are the promising avenues of research in FMS?

Flexible Robotic Production in Off-Site Construction: A Lean Approac

“…A flexible manufacturing system (FMS) is regarded as an essential component in the realm of Industry 4.0, as it has the potential to improve system performance and thus boost the system's overall competitiveness (Priyadarshini & Gupta, 2023). As the name implies, it is characterized by its flexibility, which allows it to respond quickly to changing production requirements and conditions.…”

“…One of the most significant advantages of an FMS is that it allows the system to adapt to changes in demand, reducing downtime and increasing productivity (El-Khalil & Darwish, 2019). A manufacturing system's adaptability allows it to handle varying levels of product variety and quantity (Priyadarshini & Gupta, 2023). Considering that flexibility is highly important when producing for a fluctuating demand, FMS concept aims to bridge that gap.…”

“…However, there are some challenges associated with implementing flexible manufacturing systems, such as low equipment utilization, a lack of technical expertise, and a lack of understanding on the part of senior management, all of which can have a negative impact on the FMS's implementation and execution (Priyadarshini & Gupta, 2023). Furthermore, the cost of implementing and commissioning a flexible manufacturing system is high, and the anticipated savings are difficult to quantify (Magalhães et al, 2022).…”