Agile Manufacturing: an evolutionary review of practices

Academics and practitioners have long acknowledged the importance of agile manufacturing and related supply chains in achieving firm sustainable competitiveness. However, limited, if any, research has focused on the evolution of practices within agile manufacturing supply chains and how these are related to competitive performance objectives. To address this gap, we reviewed the literature on agile manufacturing drawing on evolution of manufacturing agility, attributes of agile manufacturing, the drivers of agile manufacturing, and the identification of the enabling competencies deployable for agile manufacturing. Our thesis is that agile manufacturing is at the centre of achieving sustainable competitive advantage, especially in light of current unprecedented market instability coupled with complex customer requirements. In this regard, the emphasis which agile manufacturing places on responsive adaptability would counter the destabilising influence of competitive pressures on organisations performance criteria. We have identified five enabling competencies as the agility enablers and practices of agile manufacturing, that is, transparent customisation, agile supply chains, intelligent automation, total employee empowerment and technology integration, and further explored their joint deployment to create positive multiplier effects. Future research directions were also provided with respect to operationalisation of the five identified enablers and the potential for emergent technologies of big data, blockchain, and Internet of Things to shape future agile manufacturing practices

Towards autonomy, self-organisation and learning in holonic manufacturing

This paper intends to discuss self-organisation and learning capabilities in autonomous and cooperative holons that are part of a holonic manufacturing control system. These capabilities will support the dynamic adaptation of the manufacturing control to the manufacturing evolution and emergency, specially the agile reaction to unexpected disturbances

Questioning the relentless shift to offshore manufacturing

The last 20 years has seen a relentless shift to offshore manufacturing as retailers chase ever-lower labor costs. The results of this strategy can now be evaluated and we propose that some adjustments are in order. We analyze the case of a North American apparel manufacturer (Griffin Manufacturing, Inc.) that has successfully emerged from a period of major change with a strong and strategic position in the apparel supply chain. This case study documents Griffin’s survival through evolution in capabilities, technology, and especially attitude. The Griffin case study suggests that keeping a portion of the manufacturing onshore at an agile, quick response factory is cost effective: it increases sales and improves margins. However, the new relationship between the parties is much more complex and requires commitment on both sides

An information systems assessment framework for agile manufacturing

Turmoil in the business environment is driving manufacturing companies to become agile. Agility means the capability of operating profitably in a competitive environment of continuous and unpredictable changes with information systems regarded as one of its main enablers. The research presented in this work focuses on the assessment of information systems to support agile manufacturing. The assessment framework is constructed upon a series of competitive bases (six) and agility attributes (32) identified in the literature. Other issues included cover the characteristics of the business environment and the evolution/development and infrastructure of information systems. The framework is validated through a survey research instrument and the responses analysed with statistical tests (descriptive statistics, factor analysis, linear regression and reliability). The results of the statistical analysis enabled us to determine the attributes identified as predictors for the set of questions linking information systems and agile manufacturing. Due to the fuzzy nature of assessment of information systems, the complete framework can be presented as a hierarchy where techniques like AHP and fuzzy language sets are applicable. The findings will enable the researchers to clearly identify the trends adopted by manufacturing companies in the utilisation of information systems to gain competitive edge in support of the concept of agile manufacturing

Agile production, innovation and technological cooperation: Overlapping priorities of manufacturing firms

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze in a sample of Spanish manufacturing firms the relationship between agile manufacturing and the firm’s management capacities related to innovation and production flexibility. Complementarily the survey addresses the implementation of agile production and its measurement. Design/methodology/approach For data collection, a survey through mail to operations and human resource managers of manufacturing firms and telephonic interviews with managers from 25 selective firms was carried out. The population of the study included firms from the Sistema de Análisis de Balances Ibéricos database with NACE codes 24–32 and at least 200 employees. Quantitative methods (linear hierarchical regression and mean differences) were used to test research hypotheses, and a qualitative method (interview analysis) was used to analyze an implementation and measurement model of agile production. Findings The results of the study show that high-agile firms use more intensively a comprehensive set of agile facilitators (design, manufacturing and supply). They also innovate and cooperate externally more on innovation than low-agile firms. The authors have found that external technological cooperation moderates the firm’s production flexibility. Research limitations/implications The implications of this research indicate, on one hand, that firms interested in implementing agile production should focus on the agility management of supply chains, the skills and knowledge development of human resources and in the implementation of agile manufacturing technologies. On the other hand, firms in less cooperative environments should focus more on their internal manufacturing systems to reinforce the relationship between production flexibility and agility that offers broader scenarios to compete under this production paradigm. The main limitations of the research design are the use of cross-sectional data and the use of managerial perceptions to assess most of the variables. Originality/value This paper offers a model of agile production implementation that it is complemented with measurement indicators to analyze the firm’s evolution toward agility. The combination of multivariate analysis and managers’ interviews to obtain and validate results creates a value for managers interested in agile production

Is agile project management applicable to construction?

This paper briefly summarises the evolution of Agile Project Management (APM) and differentiates it from lean and agile production and ‘leagile’ construction. The significant benefits being realized through employment of APM within the information systems industry are stated. The characteristics of APM are explored, including: philosophy, organizational attitudes and practices, planning, execution and control and learning. Finally, APM is subjectively assessed as to its potential contribution to the pre-design, design and construction phases. In conclusion, it is assessed that APM offers considerable potential for application in predesign and design but that there are significant hurdles to its adoption in the actual construction phase. Should these be overcome, APM offers benefits well beyond any individual project

Agile development for a multi-disciplinary bicycle stability test bench

Agile software development methods are used extensively in the software industry. This paper describes an argument to explain why these methods can be used within a multi-disciplinary project and provides a concrete description on how to implement such a method, using a case-study to support the rationale. The SOFIE (Intelligent Assisted Bicycle) project was created to develop mechatronic appliances to make bicycles more stable, i.e. safer. A bicycle stability test bench is created within this project and is used as the case study for this research. The relative complexity of the test bench development and partner structure within the SOFIE project has many similarities with large-scale complex projects found in industry. Thus it provides a good environment to research the application of Agile software methods to a multi-disciplinary project

A Brief History of Software Development and Manufacturing

In this article we discover the roots and maturation of software development methods and practices through a comparative study. We notice that the evolution of software development methods has mirrored the evolution in manufacturing paradigms. Further, investigations reveal that the change software development methods have lagged the change in manufacturing paradigms indicating the source of inspiration for software development and practices is manufacturing and not the other way around. This investigation is useful and timely, especially in the context of plan-driven versus agile methods conundrum. It helps us acquire an in-depth understanding of how software development methods originated, why some of them have prevailed while others have not. Further, these insights help us assess the relevance of current practices and methods of software development and predict their future trajectory

Rapid manufacturing – impact on supply chain methodologies and practice

This paper demonstrates the use of Rapid Manufacturing (RM) as the enabling technology for flexible manufacturing in a number of industrial sectors. The paper discusses the evolution of Rapid Prototyping (RP) to Rapid Manufacturing and the current issues that require further research for the successful integration of this technology within manufacturing companies. The use of RM will have particular impact on supply chain management paradigms such as lean and agile and has particular strategic fit with mass customisation. The effect RM will have on these paradigms is discussed and confirmed with example cases from automotive production, motor sport and medical devices industries. In conclusion RM has already been shown in the three cases to offer benefits, particularly where fast re-configuration of the manufacturing process is required and with the production of customised components

Avoiding Stffness: Perspectives of agile technology diffusion

The increased pervasiveness of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) within the Architecture Engineering and Construction (AEC) sector, not only introduces unparalleled opportunities for enhancing the performance of design/engineering/construction processes per se, but also serves as a unique lever for improving and delivering overall competitiveness. However, whilst the onset and evolution of ICT keeps improving, it is also recognised that organisations often fail to match this evolution, most notably through the adoption, diffusion and dissemination of this technology. This has also been acknowledged as a barrier, particularly concerning innovation opportunities. Cognisant of this, organisations are increasingly looking to secure full advantage of emerging ICT developments. On this theme, this study identifies a series of priority areas for organisations, with the specific remit of securing agility (in the market) through ICT diffusion. A questionnaire, based on an Agile-Technology Diffusion framework, was used to capture the perceptions of management professionals working in the Turkish AEC sector. The ranking analysis of the survey results and comparison of the different management perceptions (levels) are presented for discussion. Research findings identify several priority areas that need to be addressed. These findings also uncover significant differences in the perceptions of different management levels - which can help decision makers appreciate the holistic interdependencies, especially the factors which impinge (or impede) overall competitiveness