Title: Manufacturing flexibility: a multisector study of Indian companies

Authors: G.S. Dangayach, S.G. Deshmukh

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Jawahar Lal Nehru Marg, Jaipur – 302017, India. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi – 110016, India

Abstract: Flexibility has been recognised as an important competitive priority in manufacturing strategy. This research reports the findings of a multisector study of Indian manufacturing companies. We included companies from the automobile, electronics, machinery and process sectors. The objective of the survey was to assess the status of flexibility in Indian manufacturing companies. We received responses from 120 companies with 34.7% response rate. The views of the Indian managers are analysed and presented. In general, flexibility is one of the important priorities for Indian companies. The issue of flexibility is mapped using a manufacturing strategy framework. Two dimensions of flexibility (structural and infrastructural flexibility) are identified.

Keywords: manufacturing flexibility; manufacturing strategy; advanced manufacturing technology; AMT; integrated information systems; advanced management systems; flexible manufacturing; India.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMR.2007.014647

International Journal of Manufacturing Research, 2007 Vol.2 No.2, pp.225 - 242

Published online: 21 Jul 2007 *

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