He also introduces the concept of “Focus Factory” which states that the top management must focus on the ability to be flexible, gauge the market changes and adapt accordingly. He describes how the manufacturing function can become the competitive weapon for the organization. The seminal article by Duguay et al. (1997) discusses the two paradigms of mass production and flexible/agile production. “Mass production” was characterized by the features like the division of labour, interchangeable parts and mechanization.
This is vastly different from their business model in 1984, which was simply to manufacture the license products of Mitsubishi. Back then, Temsa Global relied on Mitsubishi in assessing market needs and strategizing for new products. The shift in strategy requires headcount for Product Management and Research and Development (R&D). 2. What are the possible advantages of investing in the R&D center for advanced technologies?
However, the understanding of the impact of computer technology on the industrial factory makes necessary the appreciation of the defining characteristics of industrial technology and the forms of work organization associated with it. What sort of organization, labor processes and manufacturing techniques did computer technology come to replace or improve? Why is industrialism and industrial technology associated with certain types of firms and organizations? Only placed on the back¬ground of such considerations can the work organization inherited from the industrial experience be studied with reference to computer technology. Only by responding to the questions posed above can the characteristics, work procedures and relationships, which computer technology is supposed to promote, be properly understood.
Progress is growth, development and/or continuous improvement: the development of an individual or society in a direction considered superior to the previous level. As human beings we are driven to push forward and continuously make changes to our way of life. We are programmed as innovative creatures, constantly reinventing our methods of action. There are two aspects of humanity that continuously progress; society and technology. Technology is the invention of tools and techniques.
Taylor’s impact was great because he developed the concept of work design, work measurement, production control and other functions, that changed the nature of history. Prior to the development of scientific management, departs such as personnel, maintenance, and quality control did not exist (Accel team, 2013). Although this theory was created in the Industrial Period, there are many elements that can be identified in companies today. Taylor believed in designing jobs so that each employee has a definitive tasks that they are responsible for. Today, those tasks are known as job descriptions.
| |“Innovation” comprises of three basic stages, the Birth, the Growth and the Maturation. Science exposes the fundamental flaws | |in a system, or art gives inspiration, necessitating innovation in Birth. Then we employ creative engineering as a vehicle to | |carry the innovation, turning it from a fleeting idea into a tangible design in Growth. Finally, in Maturation, the | |logic-based Science is combined with the creative Art, resulting in a great change. | |Along the Innovation Cycle, we garner knowledge from external influences and disciplines and apply them to a scientific | |design, consciously or subconsciously.
ITT AUTOMOTIVE: GLOBAL MANUFACTURING STRATEGY (1) What are the implications for both cost and flexibility of automation? Do you agree with the assertion made by one of the managers in the case: "If you automate, you stagnate?" (2) What are your recommendations regarding the issue of standardizing process technology across all plants? Are there motives behind this proposal, other than those stated in the case? (3) As Juergen Geissinger, how would you go about implementing your recommendation?
CASE: APPLE’S MAKE-VS.-BUY DECISION Questions 1 Given the ideas presented about Apple’s strategy, what HR actions would be most suitable for supporting that strategy? The idea presented about Apple’s strategy is aimed at bringing the design of microchips back in house. They want to make chip design a company process, rather than a product to buy and give them more control over the process and over the secrecy. The company needs all new labor forecasts, a large labor force and an intense push to bring in technical talent. The following is an appropriate support strategy undertaken by HR:- i) New external hire Newly hired workers from outside bring the company new ideas and fresh perspectives.
Time and context play a key role in determining what science is, what is the technology and what are the parameters of innovation. The progress of science, often defined as a body of systematic, organized knowledge constantly evolves. Human ingenuity is applying “what is” to suit his needs, or applied science can be termed technology. Innovation is the keystone of technology. Creativity and thinking out of the box to constantly add to technology constitutes innovation.
Going back to the question, how did I see myself as a technopreneur? Being a good technopreneur I need to be a creative thinker. In today’s generation, it is not enough to just follow or stay on what is usual and ordinary. I must able to imagine and invent something new which could give comfort and benefits to the people. Creativity is not just the ability to create out of nothing, but the ability to generate new ideas by combining, changing, or reapplying existing ideas.