Integrated production machines and systems – beyond lean manufacturing
Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management
ISSN: 1741-038X
Article publication date: 25 July 2008
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose a “Fit” manufacturing paradigm for industry so that manufacturing companies can become economically sustainable and can operate effectively in a global competitive market. The proposed Fit paradigm is aimed at providing a new manufacturing management perspective to both academics and industrialists.
Design/methodology/approach
The Fit paradigm is developed and proposed as a new manufacturing management strategy towards creating economically sustainable manufacturing organisations. Fit is a theoretical development using the principles of existing manufacturing paradigms along with new and innovative management concepts to create a sustainable approach to manufacturing.
Findings
Manufacturing strategies such as lean and agility allow companies to deliver bottom‐line savings in production terms although their effectiveness depends upon the volume and demand profile of their products. The trend towards mass customisation requires companies to provide personalised products and services at mass production prices. This now places a further burden on companies and therefore a holistic manufacturing framework must be developed in order to ensure that the factory of the future is able to meet this new demand. This paper proposes a fit manufacturing paradigm which integrates the manufacturing efficiencies achieved through lean and agility with the need to break into new markets through effective marketing and product innovation strategies to achieve long term economic sustainability. The small scale application of the approach in a case company shows that the initial results to be positive when measured against a fit index which is developed within this paper.
Originality/value
The development of a fit paradigm aimed at tackling directly the issues of economic sustainability is proposed and is considered by the authors as one of a kind. Fit will also provide a framework for the implementation of sustainable manufacturing operations within organisations.
Keywords
Citation
Pham, D.T., Pham, P.T.N. and Thomas, A. (2008), "Integrated production machines and systems – beyond lean manufacturing", Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, Vol. 19 No. 6, pp. 695-711. https://doi.org/10.1108/17410380810888094
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2008, Emerald Group Publishing Limited