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managing design complexity

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  • spyros vassilakis

Abstract

This paper contains a model of waste elimination through design. It argues for the importance of managing design complexity in improving cost, quality, variety, and time--to--market performance variables. Management of design complexity is identified with creation, choice, and application of design problem representations, divisions of design labor, and product architectures that provably eliminate waste. The paper's thesis is illustrated with a comparison of Toyota's technology strategy (based on waste elimination) to that of General Motors (based on frontier--shifting investment).

Suggested Citation

  • spyros vassilakis, 2002. "managing design complexity," Industrial Organization 0207001, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:wpa:wuwpio:0207001
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Michael C. Jensen, 2010. "The Modern Industrial Revolution, Exit, and the Failure of Internal Control Systems," Journal of Applied Corporate Finance, Morgan Stanley, vol. 22(1), pages 43-58, January.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Cost; quality; variety; time--to--market; design complexity.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C69 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling - - - Other
    • D20 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - General
    • L23 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Organization of Production
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D
    • M19 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Other

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