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Fit manufacturing: production fitness as the measure of production operations performance

Ebrahim, Zuhriah 2011. Fit manufacturing: production fitness as the measure of production operations performance. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.

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Abstract

Rapid changes in market demands have resulted in manufacturing companies having to remain competitive in order to survive. Therefore, a combination of manufacturing capabilities, such as leanness, flexibility, agility, responsiveness, and sustainability, is essential to manufacturing companies. However, the performance of manufacturing capabilities has not yet been measured through integrated manufacturing concepts. Consequently, this thesis presents a model for evaluating operations performance from the specific viewpoint of production capability, termed Production Fitness. In this respect, determination of Production Fitness refers to Fit Manufacturing systems in general. An assessment of Production Fitness is developed based on the concept of multidimensional performances through integration of three distinctive concepts: (i) Lean Manufacturing (leanness), (ii) Agile Manufacturing (agility), (iii) Sustainability. The aim is to provide an index for Production Fitness, determined through a simpler, more useful, and objective system of assessment. In this way, the Production Fitness measures can be used as a decision support tool for production and marketing (e.g., Production Waste Index (PWI), Production Profitability Index, (PPI), Production Adaptability Index (PAI), Production Stability Index (PSI), and Production Fitness Index (PFI)), as well as providing a means of avoiding common conflict between these two areas. The Production Fitness measures were applied to six case studies of micro-SMEs with batch manufacturing processes in various industries. Results from the six case studies show that it is crucial for manufacturing companies to sustain an ideal PFI, which can be achieved through maximum PPI, consistent PAI, and ideal PSI. In the meantime, it is also important for manufacturing companies to achieve a higher PFI, especially in highly competitive market environments. Factors influencing the fitness indices are identified from the aspects of company and production characteristics. SWOT analysis results indicate that the PFI can be affected by company strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Suggestions for improving Production Fitness are made using empirical evidence from previous studies on relevant aspects. This thesis concludes that the Production Fitness measures can be applied to batch process types in various manufacturing industries where common production and sales data are applied.

Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
Status: Unpublished
Schools: Engineering
Subjects: T Technology > TS Manufactures
ISBN: 9781303222283
Date of First Compliant Deposit: 30 March 2016
Last Modified: 10 Jan 2018 01:17
URI: https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/55074

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