Title: Management, technology and agility: the emergence of a new era in manufacturing.

Authors: Steven L. Goldman, Roger N. Nagel

Addresses: Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pa. 18015, USA. ' Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pa. 18015, USA

Abstract: This paper explores the impacts of technological innovations and organizational innovations on the competitiveness of manufacturing enterprises, in a US context, but with reference to developments in Japan. The adoption of technological innovations and the utilization of technical resources are seen not as objective processes, but as part of managerial decision-making based on management|s value systems and agendas. The next stage in the development of manufacturing industry is seen as the emergence of the highly-responsive and |agile| manufacturing enterprise, sometimes taking the form of |virtual companies| to exploit transient or niche markets as they emerge. The key to this agility in a manufacturing enterprise is a more flexible approach to inter-firm cooperation, and the development of the creative skills of the management and the workforce.

Keywords: manufacturing competitiveness; technological innovation; organisational innovation; agile management; agile manufacturing; inter-firm cooperation; virtual companies; agility; USA; United States; Japan.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.1993.025758

International Journal of Technology Management, 1993 Vol.8 No.1/2, pp.18 - 38

Published online: 24 May 2009 *

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