A process for managing manufacturing flexibility

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop and test a procedure to enable organizations to establish a competitive capability to manufacture flexibly.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey of manufacturing businesses and two case studies in separate plants of an international manufacturing company led to the design of a process to improve manufacturing flexibility. The proposed process was subsequently tested and refined in workshops and interviews in additional collaborating companies.

Findings

Insight gained from the combination of case study and survey research has identified key steps in a process to improve manufacturing flexibility, which have not been emphasised previously. In addition a framework is proposed which matches operational capabilities with desired dimensions of flexibility; mix and/or volume.

Research limitations/implications

Further trials of the proposed process in a range of manufacturing operations are required to establish its robustness and generic value.

Originality/value

A new conceptual framework has been developed to improve manufacturing flexibility. The results of an initial trial of this framework are reported.

Citation

Cousens, A., Szwejczewski, M. and Sweeney, M. (2009), "A process for managing manufacturing flexibility", International Journal of Operations & Production Management, Vol. 29 No. 4, pp. 357-385. https://doi.org/10.1108/01443570910945828