This working paper summarizes the results of the analysis of Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMS) of the broader (questionnaire) data base, consisting of case studies collected at IIASA during the period 1988-1989 (questionnaire data from 9 FMS in Finland, 5 FMS in Czechoslovakia, 6 FMS in Austria, 5 FMS in Sweden, 10 FMS in the GDR and 4 EMS in Bulgaria).
The above-mentioned sample establishes the substantial FMS base of the respective country (except for Sweden and Czechoslovakia) and can be taken as the representative sample of FMS in that particular country. The IIASA case studies data base was reinforced by comparative studies published in literature. Our methodological approach is based on the hypothesis established in previous stages of our research work (see Maly, 1988). The main aim of this work is to generalize the results with special attention on outlining the specific features of a comparative analysis between centrally planned and market economies.
The main topics on which we concentrate our attention are: characteristics of the users; strategic goals; organizational and operation characteristics, communication systems; economic characteristics; and social characteristics
