search query: @indexterm ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY / total: 34
reference: 12 / 34
| Author: | Upton, D. M. |
| Title: | Process range in manufacturing: an empirical study of flexibility. |
| Journal: | Management Science
1997 : AUG, VOL. 43:8, p. 1079-1103 |
| Index terms: | MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIAL PLANT OPERATIONAL RESEARCH ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY |
| Language: | eng |
| Abstract: | This paper examines the relationship between one form of manufacturing flexibility - process range - and structure, infrastructure, and managerial policy at the plant level. It provides evidence of the strength of the links between manufacturing flexibility and such factors as scale, technology vintage, computer integration,and workforce management. Data from 54 plants in the fine-paper industry are presented, and a model of the determinants of short- term flexibility is developed. The plants examined differed by a factor of 20 in their ability to accomodate large process variation. The evidence suggests that flexibility is strongly negatively related to scale and degree of computer integration, yet positively related to newer vintage of mechanical technology and workforce experience. |
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