Linking Manufacturing Systems to Manufacturing Strategy in a Changing Environment

Abstract

Dealing with change is an essential capability for manufacturing systems. In this paper, we reviewed 30 different kinds of manufacturing systems and identified four common approaches in how they deal with change, i.e. modularity, autonomy, distribution, and integration. We conducted a survey of Chinese manufacturing firms and used regression analysis to find relationships between their competitive priorities and the four approaches. The results provide some useful explanations regarding how a firm's emphases on the approaches in its manufacturing systems are influenced by its competitive priorities. Utilizing linkages between the approaches and competitive priorities, we developed a framework for matching manufacturing systems with manufacturing strategy in an environment filled with change and uncertainty.