Learning to Change

Manufacturing firms—large and small—face massive change and adjustment as they move from a stable, fault-tolerant environment of long production runs to a volatile world in which production runs are short; product characteristics are changing constantly; and defect-free, on-time production at decreasing prices is a condition for survival. The necessary changes in the production organization include everything from the layout of the shop floor to the distribution of authority between managers and workers. The magnitude of these changes threatens to overwhelm the managerial capacities of firms, regardless of their size.This study examines the particularly vulnerable situation of small and mid-size manufacturers and considers ways in which to help them undertake the many changes and adjustments necessary. These include assimilating the new tools, disciplines, and philosophy of lean manufacturing; embracing new ways of delegating responsibilities; and developing new kinds of partnerships among customers, suppliers, and employees.Table of ContentsFRONT MATTEREXECUTIVE SUMMARY1 INTRODUCTION2 IMPROVING MANUFACTURING PERFORMANCE IN SMALLER FIRMS3 IMPROVING MANUFACTURING: SOURCES OF ASSISTANCE FOR SMALLER COMPANIES4 EFFECTIVENESS OF MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY CENTERS5 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS6 MINORITY OPINIONAPPENDIXESA MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS BY SIZE AND STATEB SELECTED STATE AND LOCAL PROGRAMSC FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE AND PROCEDURES FOR MTC SELECTIONREFERENCESBIBLIOGRAPHY