An organic approach for designing the factory of the future

Abstract

This research proposes that manufacturing organisations are considered to be entering into a new developmental era which represents yet another shift in how manufacturing has been viewed since the beginning of production in the industrialised world (Agrawal and Hurriyet, 2004). The changes that have taken place globally (technological, social, cultural and political) are posing multi-dimensional problems to all types of organisations, particularly manufacturing organisations. Manufacturing organisations are disappearing from the competitive business environment context rapidly. In order to survive and grow in this new distinctive time period, referred to as "Organic Era" (Agrawal and Hurriyet, 2004, p.319), technological and organisational innovations need to be created, developed and implemented continuously. The decline in overall world manufacturing is a principal concern for business managers, academics and policy makers at the macro level, as manufacturing is one of the major contributors to the wealth and growth of countries. In order to understand and prevent this speedy decline many different models have been developed and more will be developed in future. One well known model called the "Factory of The Future" has existed since the mid 20th century and consistently aims at capturing emerging characteristics of manufacturing organisations that would meet the requirements and expectations of future customers, who may exist anywhere in the world. This research argues that existing models are not sufficient to function successfully and that the decline is speedier than before as uncertainties increase and conditions become "chaotic". The "unpredictability" of the future requires more "proactive approaches" (Agrawal and Hurriyet, 2004) through the application of models that have proved and justified themselves over and over. Examples of such models are "natural systems", "organisms" and in general "the planet earth" and these models need to be adapted in designing the factory of the future (Agrawal and Hurriyet, 2004). It is proposed that "organisations should recognise their organic nature" and "self based characteristics" which would enable them "to develop an inherent capacity to sustain in the changing environment and adapt themselves to survive" (Agrawal and Hurriyet, 2004, p.324).

Date of Award	2010
Original language	English