Developing manufacturing agility in SMEs
Developing manufacturing agility in SMEs
The problem of manufacturing in the late twentieth century can be seen as the latest version of two long-standing puzzles to do with responding to demanding internal and external environments. The continuing search for solutions to these puzzles leads to investment in innovation - via R&D, technology transfer, etc. But evidence suggests that the key requirement is not solving the puzzle for one set of circumstances but in continually solving problems as the puzzles mutate. This places emphasis on organisational capability - it is not what you know or what you can buy but how well you learn and adapt which is the key. We term this ''manufacturing agility'', and this paper explores the definition in terms of the ''dynamic capability'' view of strategic management. This paper draws on case study research being carried out as part of a major UK program of work in manufacturing agility. The paper presents a reference model which seeks to explain and guide the development of agility within manufacturing enterprises.
flexibility, organisational development, agile manufacturing, innovation, manufacturing strategy, dynamic capability, biographies
28-54
Bessant, J.
9feaaeba-6f71-4a91-8d5f-dc484693230a
Brown, S.
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Francis, D.
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Meredith, S.
84f00dc2-451c-438e-9fc5-6edf7259d0bb
2001
Bessant, J.
9feaaeba-6f71-4a91-8d5f-dc484693230a
Brown, S.
b4aaf64c-2032-4715-a9ea-ef5e604b5de1
Francis, D.
87e22434-cff8-44de-a640-8dc60b6b99ae
Meredith, S.
84f00dc2-451c-438e-9fc5-6edf7259d0bb
Bessant, J., Brown, S., Francis, D. and Meredith, S.
(2001)
Developing manufacturing agility in SMEs.
International Journal of Technology Management, 22 (1/2/3), .
Abstract
The problem of manufacturing in the late twentieth century can be seen as the latest version of two long-standing puzzles to do with responding to demanding internal and external environments. The continuing search for solutions to these puzzles leads to investment in innovation - via R&D, technology transfer, etc. But evidence suggests that the key requirement is not solving the puzzle for one set of circumstances but in continually solving problems as the puzzles mutate. This places emphasis on organisational capability - it is not what you know or what you can buy but how well you learn and adapt which is the key. We term this ''manufacturing agility'', and this paper explores the definition in terms of the ''dynamic capability'' view of strategic management. This paper draws on case study research being carried out as part of a major UK program of work in manufacturing agility. The paper presents a reference model which seeks to explain and guide the development of agility within manufacturing enterprises.
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Published date: 2001
Keywords:
flexibility, organisational development, agile manufacturing, innovation, manufacturing strategy, dynamic capability, biographies
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Local EPrints ID: 37190
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/37190
ISSN: 0267-5730
PURE UUID: 625e9bd3-35e6-477c-a0b3-ed950d6ec083
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Date deposited: 30 May 2006
Last modified: 22 Jul 2022 20:46
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Author:
J. Bessant
Author:
S. Brown
Author:
D. Francis
Author:
S. Meredith
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