The organizational impacts of flexible manufacturing systems: some initial findings

Flexible manufacturing systems are highly customized, computer integrated machining systems with the potential for automating small batch production. So far research has concentrated on the solution of their technical problems; very little effort has been devoted to the organizational issues they raise. This paper discusses some initial findings from an ongoing in-depth case study of the organizational problems of flexible manufacturing systems in a division of a large corporation. Five implementation issues are stressed: transfer of technical knowledge, workgroup structure, quality control and maintenance, impacts on other parts of the organization, and the meaning of flexibility. Where possible, solutions are recommended for the problems raised.