Name
Abstract | ||
|---|---|---|
SMEs often have to adapt their manufacturing systems to changing circumstances such as technology advances and business growth. This paper presents a new methodology for the redesign of manufacturing systems within SMEs.This paper will show that most approaches to manufacturing systems redesign are linear and it will explain why this is not the best option for SMEs. Foremost among these reasons is the uncertainty of the SME environment. Redesign planning that is conducted at the outset of a change episode may be superseded by events that are impossible to foresee. A further issue for conventional redesign approaches is the resource poverty that is a widely reported feature of SMEs. The most obvious impact is on the financial support available for costly technology-led solutions. Resource poverty also includes the available expertise and managerial time to implement complex methodologies.The alternative approach proposed uses an iterative model as its basis for change. The basic helical model is extended to provide four perspectives on systems change. These perspectives focus on structural, people, technology and process issues. It is these perspectives that make the difference between continuous improvement and systems redesign. The model has been developed through action research in manufacturing SMEs. Validation was achieved through a longitudinal case study that provided empirical evidence to support the methodology. A single case was used for validation to provide depth over breadth. The development of the methodology had been broad through action research into several diverse SMEs and it was considered that more detailed case study would add balance to the research. The depth afforded by a single longitudinal study also allowed for greater scrutiny of the methodology under real world conditions. |
Year | DOI | Venue |
|---|---|---|
2002 | 10.1016/S0166-3615(02)00055-6 | Computers in Industry |
Keywords | DocType | Volume |
systems change,non-linear redesign methodology,manufacturing systems,resource poverty,systems redesign,action research,manufacturing system,SMEs,redesign,Manufacturing systems,diverse SMEs,basic helical model,complex methodology,Design,new methodology,conventional redesign approach,smes,Redesign,design | Journal | 49 |
Issue | ISSN | Citations |
1 | Computers in Industry | 7 |
PageRank | References | Authors |
1.23 | 1 | 2 |
Name | Order | Citations | PageRank |
|---|---|---|---|
| J. Bradford | 1 | 7 | 1.23 |
| S. J. Childe | 2 | 64 | 6.41 |