Advanced manufacturing technologies and strategically flexible production

TLDR

Advanced manufacturing technologies (AMT) are examined within the evolving principles of manufacturing organization, collectively termed Strategically Flexible Production (SFP). The study investigates the use and effectiveness of various AMT and their computer-based integration under the three emerging SFP principles: strategic multi-focusedness, process integration across functions, and process ownership. The authors analyze AMT usage across 392 metal‑working manufacturing units, categorizing them as core adopters, partial adopters, or non-adopters of SFP. Core adopters exhibit higher computer integration but not greater stand-alone AMT use; variability in integrating technologies suggests SFP does not mandate extensive IT, and while stand-alone AMT alone does not boost performance, SFP—alone or with higher integration—enhances time responsiveness.

Abstract

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.