Agile manufacturing/globalization

Agile manufacturing/globalization

1. agile manufacturing-ability to market, low cost, high-quality products=short lead times, vary volume that provide value to customer through customization

   • key tactics-partnership with suppliers, concurrent engineering, business process re-engineering, training, empowerment, technology
   • not a quick fix, simple principles=technically+culturally demanding. emphasis=teamwork+participation+appropriate management, elimination of waste=applicable=difficult in MTO+ETO
   • agility-not well defined, organisation structures-more responsive,short lead times. agile organisation=flat structure, low inertia, handle short product life cycle, high reliability.

2. driving management?- globalisation, info-based economy, dynamic environment, demanding customers, working patters, environmental factors

   • globalization-world=shrinking,cause+consequence of info revolution. markets=more liberalised.companies=use mergers, acquisitions+ partnerships to aid processes
     • what is it?-increasing intergration of economies through movement of-goods, services+capital, people, knowledge across borders+cultural, political, environment dimension
     • indicators-increase in trade goods+services % 42.1-62.1. foreign direct investment=increase=6.5%-31.8%. call per minute cross boarder=increase.Number of foreign workers=+.2.4% world pop to 3%
     • myths-downward pressure on wages-not primary factor, technology progress is. Race to bottom- supply of skilled labour, economic + political stability, local infrastructure, quality of institutions, and overall business climate. Openness to globalization=deliver economic growth, not sufficient condition for growth alone.
   • info based economy-tech change=accelerating, more towards knowledge economy, tech affects product processes+interface with customer, globalisation=driven by telecomunications improvements, increased pc power, lower cost tech+internet
   • Dynamic environment- shorter life cycles, emphasis on time-based competition, fluctuations-managed as matter of course, create environment=accommodate change= key management issue
   • customer/consumers=demanding better quality, lower cost+faster delivery. Extensive choice/customisation=increase.lifecylces= down
   • working pattern- increased temp/[art time employees,developed telecommuting phenomenon, ubiquitous(all over the place) computing.
   • lifestyle trends- decline in school/graduate leavers, age profile of population, declining household size 2-1.3, continuing urban-rural shift
   • environmental factors- increasing pollution, declining environmental quality, depletion of resources

3. business=responsive to rapidly changing environment=unpredictable.Globalization=Positive+negative aspects, Lean+agile organisation=better to compete=today's environment.