Flexibility as process mobility: The management of plant capabilities for quick response manufacturing

摘要: This paper examines the relationship between one form of manufacturing flexibility - operational mobility (or ability to change quickly products) and structure, infrastructure managerial policy at plant level. Using data from a broader study aimed exploring general sources flexibility, provides evidence strength links such factors as scale, technology vintage, computer integration workforce management. There has been little empirical work on this subject, partly result difficulties defining measuring flexibility. The type explored in is specifically capability process states quickly. I find that most variance across plants can be explained by combination structural factors, scale plant; infrastructural length service operators; measures emphasis, perceived importance making quick changeovers. Of these does not strongly inhibit its either insignificant or detrimental plant. Workforce characteristics are also important determinants results suggest less experienced operators may more flexible their make certain types products. A strong determinant extent which perceive managers have emphasized various performance dimensions. Finally, show different forms necessarily related each other. emphasizes identifying precisely particular developed when building capabilities.