Title: Organizing and managing the CIM/FMS firm for maximum competitive advantage

Authors: Joel D Goldhar, David Lei

Addresses: Stuart School of Business, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois 60661-3601, USA. ' Edwin L Cox School of Business, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas 75275, USA

Abstract: This paper develops an organizational learning-based perspective to examine the impact of CIM and FMS technologies on business strategy and organizational structure. Firms seeking to build competitive advantage through advances in information and manufacturing technologies need to engage in double-loop, generative learning in which experimentation, risk-taking and the formation of new skills become the basis for designing strategy and structure. Multifunctional teams, horizontal work flows, and redefined performance criteria are among some of the important changes required to instil double-loop, generative learning and to implement CIM and FIMS technology effectively.

Keywords: computer-integrated manufacturing; CIM; flexible manufacturing systems; FMS; competitive advantage; multiple-niche strategies; product diversity; organisational flexibility; business strategy; organisational learning; multifunctional teams; horizontal work flows; performance criteria.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.1994.025598

International Journal of Technology Management, 1994 Vol.9 No.5/6/7, pp.709 - 732

Published online: 23 May 2009 *

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