Marek Szwejczewski, Michael T Sweeney and Alan Cousens
The purpose of this paper is twofold; first, to investigate whether the manufacturing specializations of network plants fulfilling similar strategic plant roles (Ferdows, 1997…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is twofold; first, to investigate whether the manufacturing specializations of network plants fulfilling similar strategic plant roles (Ferdows, 1997) are common in type. Second, to examine current strategic manufacturing network management practice and develop a map of this process.
Design/methodology/approach
Three multisite manufacturing businesses participated in this case research. The first phase of the study consisted of an initial visit made to the headquarters of each firm to be briefed on its manufacturing network strategy and to collect company manufacturing performance data. Visits were then made to 11 network plants to collect site manufacturing performance data and to research the manufacturing specialization of each site and the degree of autonomy of its management team. The second phase of the research comprised a number of additional visits to the headquarters of one of the three case study firms to investigate the process employed to downsize its existing manufacturing network capacity in response to a significant decline in customer demand.
Findings
Three common types of manufacturing specialization have been identified in the networks of plants studied and the case research findings have enabled the development of a process for manufacturing network strategy deployment.
Research limitations/implications
The proposed process for the strategic management of a manufacturing network is based upon the findings of a single case study and thus the generalizability of the findings is limited.
Practical implications
Auditing the manufacturing specialization of network sites is an essential preparatory procedure for determining a manufacturing network strategy. How this information is used to facilitate the management of manufacturing network configuration and coordination and for manufacturing network strategy deployment is detailed in the paper.
Originality/value
A process map has been developed that includes a review of current network configuration and coordination policies, in combination, as these underpin manufacturing network strategy deployment. Such a process map has not been detailed previously in the literature.
Details
Keywords
Alan Cousens, Marek Szwejczewski and Mike Sweeney
The purpose of this paper is to develop and test a procedure to enable organizations to establish a competitive capability to manufacture flexibly.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop and test a procedure to enable organizations to establish a competitive capability to manufacture flexibly.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey of manufacturing businesses and two case studies in separate plants of an international manufacturing company led to the design of a process to improve manufacturing flexibility. The proposed process was subsequently tested and refined in workshops and interviews in additional collaborating companies.
Findings
Insight gained from the combination of case study and survey research has identified key steps in a process to improve manufacturing flexibility, which have not been emphasised previously. In addition a framework is proposed which matches operational capabilities with desired dimensions of flexibility; mix and/or volume.
Research limitations/implications
Further trials of the proposed process in a range of manufacturing operations are required to establish its robustness and generic value.
Originality/value
A new conceptual framework has been developed to improve manufacturing flexibility. The results of an initial trial of this framework are reported.
Details
Keywords
Laser soldering, as a viable technique for surface mounting assemblies, is reviewed. The criteria for selection of a CO2 or a Nd:YAG laser are discussed. New data are given that…
Abstract
Laser soldering, as a viable technique for surface mounting assemblies, is reviewed. The criteria for selection of a CO2 or a Nd:YAG laser are discussed. New data are given that quantify the beneficial effects of laser soldering on the solder fillet microstructure, and how this relates to in‐service performance.
Coors Ceramics has appointed Monika Sandoval as Account Manager for Germany, Austria and the German speaking part of Switzerland.
Jeff Clowes and Alan Tapp
The purpose of this research was to investigate the attendance range of spectators at an English Football Association Premier League club. The numbers of spectators in both…
Abstract
The purpose of this research was to investigate the attendance range of spectators at an English Football Association Premier League club. The numbers of spectators in both percentage and absolute terms were calculated and allocated to three segments (heavy, medium, light attendance). The findings were compared to an earlier reported study in the United States and marketing recommendations based on related studies and industry expertise were proposed for those involved in live spectator sports.
Details
Keywords
IN October a well‐known literary periodical appeared for a single number in a bright‐red cover to signalise a certain change. Two months earlier we had altered our size, type and…
Abstract
IN October a well‐known literary periodical appeared for a single number in a bright‐red cover to signalise a certain change. Two months earlier we had altered our size, type and cover‐colour; for the last exchanging the decorous consistent grey of our outer garment for the summer yellow in which our two Conference numbers appeared. Some readers found this too gaudy, although the three colours which have most “attention value,” as the advertisement experts say, are yellow, red and Cambridge blue. We compromise on orange, which has warmth, and we hope will have welcome.
The purpose of this study is to highlight the overshadowing of the opioid crisis due to Covid-19 pandemic. Opioids are affecting increasing numbers as the current opioid overdose…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to highlight the overshadowing of the opioid crisis due to Covid-19 pandemic. Opioids are affecting increasing numbers as the current opioid overdose death rate is increasing to 209 per day. While there appears light shining on the end of the Covid-19 pandemic with the advent of a fourth vaccine, there is no such light for the opioid epidemic. Based on a sample of 603 relatively educated adults in NE Ohio, the health harm caused by both crises, prescribing physician blaming, high levels of income loss and physical and emotional burdens shared by the respondents were obvious and striking.
Design/methodology/approach
Using Bertram et al. (2014) theory of the blame model, the number of results concerning gender and personally involvement of friends and family members, including men empathy increased with greater knowledge of numbers of addicted opioid users in their personal contracts.
Findings
Unfortunately, many women had to remain home taking care of children and elderly loved ones at greater percentages than their male counterparts may account for less empathy as such addicted users have become a burden to economically impaired families. This tendency for placing blame for circumstances with twin crises appears to follow a relatively predictable path as modeled by Bertram et al. (2014) (i.e. denial, justification and excuse).
Originality/value
These are few studies that are studying the amplification effects of the Covid-19 pandemic context on the current opioid crisis.