The full text of this article:

Strategies for flexibility: technology-centred and labour-centred flexibility in UK manufacturing
by Stephen Procter, Stephen Ackroyd
International Journal of Manufacturing Technology and Management (IJMTM), Vol. 1, No. 4/5, 2000
Abstract: This paper examines the form in which British manufacturing industry has assumed greater flexibility. Two basic types of flexibility are identified: technology-centred and labour-centred. Each of these has generated a substantial literature of its own; each, however, gives little consideration to the other. To the extent they have been considered together, the assumption has been that flexible manufacturing technologies require multi-skilled labour. The argument presented in this paper is that flexibility in technology and flexibility in labour should be regarded not as complementary but as substitutes for each other. Evidence from British industry shows that the use of advanced manufacturing technology is not widespread and that, where it is used, its potential benefits are not fully exploited; other evidence shows labour flexibility to have been pursued systematically. Analysis of firms' strategies will take into account the fact that the conditions under which they operate will make certain courses of action more likely to be taken than others. A number of reasons have been advanced as explanations of British manufacturing's low and poor use of advanced manufacturing technology. It is these same conditions that make the pursuit of an exploitative form of labour flexibility the more attractive alternative.

is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

Pay per view: If you are not a Subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, please click here to purchase online access to the full-text of this article. Please allow 3 days + mailing time. Current price for article is Thirty Euros (€30)

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Manufacturing Technology and Management (IJMTM) journal, that have been redirected here, please check if you have a registered username/password subscription with Inderscience. If that is the case, please Login:

If you are not yet a Subscriber to International Journal of Manufacturing Technology and Management (IJMTM) journal, you can subscribe by following a few simple and quick steps. A subscription will give you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years, where applicable. Click here to subscribe.

Should you experience further difficulties or have any enquiries, please email subs@inderscience.com