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Group technology: Amalgamation with design of organisational structures

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  • Dekkers, Rob

Abstract

Group technology has been studied extensively from an ‘industrial engineering’ perspective (layout, scheduling, workflow, etc.), but less often from an organisational design viewpoint. To study this implication of group technology, the approach of applied systems theory for the design of organisational structures was used as framework for analysis in three empirical cases. To increase the reliability of findings from the analysis of these three empirical cases, five more cases were drawn from archival search. Cluster analysis and product flow analysis were the methods used for forming groups of machines and employees in manufacturing cells, whereas the coding of parts was not employed to this end. Furthermore, the results indicate that the implementation of group technology generally meets shifts in performance requirements caused by competitive pressures, particularly flexibility and responsiveness, albeit the companies considered group technology only when under pressure of ‘poor’ business performance. However, group technology is not always a solution to challenges that companies experience; one empirical case shows that defunctionalisation and scheduling with virtual groups was more beneficial. Nevertheless, when the introduction of group technology is feasible, it also allows firms to consider delegating responsibility for production planning and scheduling to lower levels in the hierarchy and semi-autonomous groups as an alternative to ‘complex’ software applications (a socio-technical approach). Whereas the current study sheds light on the relationship between group technology and design of organisational structures, further research is necessary into the design of these structures and their relationship to group technology.

Suggested Citation

  • Dekkers, Rob, 2018. "Group technology: Amalgamation with design of organisational structures," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 200(C), pages 262-277.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:proeco:v:200:y:2018:i:c:p:262-277
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpe.2018.02.018
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    Cited by:

    1. Vikrant Sharma & Sundeep Kumar & M. L. Meena, 2022. "Key criteria influencing cellular manufacturing system: a fuzzy AHP model," Journal of Business Economics, Springer, vol. 92(1), pages 65-84, January.
    2. Salah Elaskari & Uday Venkatadri, 2022. "Understanding the Design Continuum Between Group Technology and Fractal Cell Designs for Manufacturing Systems Through the Central Backup Cellular Manufacturing System," SN Operations Research Forum, Springer, vol. 3(1), pages 1-37, March.
    3. Jose Joaquin del Pozo-Antúnez & Francisco Fernández-Navarro & Horacio Molina-Sánchez & Antonio Ariza-Montes & Mariano Carbonero-Ruz, 2021. "The Machine-Part Cell Formation Problem with Non-Binary Values: A MILP Model and a Case of Study in the Accounting Profession," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 9(15), pages 1-16, July.

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