Learning to change : opportunities to improve the performance of smaller manufacturers / Committee to Assess Barriers and Opportunities to Improve Manufacturing at Small and Medium-Sized Companies [and] Manufacturing Studies Board, Commission on Engineering and Technical Systems, National Research Council.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

National Research Council (U.S.). Committee to Assess Barriers and Opportunities to Improve Manufacturing at Small and Medium-Sized Companies.

National Research Council (U.S.). Manufacturing Studies Board.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Small business--United States.

Small business.

Small business--Government policy--United States.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (152 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Washington, D.C. : National Academy Press, 1993.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

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.

Contents:

LEARNING TO CHANGE

Copyright

Preface

STUDY METHODOLOGY

REPORT STRUCTURE

Contents

Executive Summary

PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES FOR SMALLER MANUFACTURING COMPANIES

Barrier 1: Disproportionate Impact of Regulation

Barrier 2: Lack of Awareness

Barrier 3: Isolation

Barrier 4: Where to Seek Advice

Barrier 5: Scarcity of Capital

SOURCES OF ASSISTANCE

EFFECTIVENESS OF MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY CENTERS

CONCLUSIONS

Majority Opinion

Minority Opinion

RECOMMENDATIONS

SUMMARY

1 Introduction

SIZE DISTRIBUTION OF U.S. MANUFACTURERS

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF MANUFACTURING

DIVERSITY OF SMALLER MANUFACTURERS

Product or Market Sector

Modernization

Company Maturity and Goals

Worker Demographics

Geographic Characteristics (Urban versus Rural)

GLOBAL COMPETITION: CHALLENGES CONFRONTING AMERICAN MANUFACTURERS

RESPONDING TO THE CHALLENGES

A ROLE FOR INDUSTRIAL ASSISTANCE EFFORTS

2 Improving Manufacturing Performance in Smaller Firms

BARRIER 1: DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT OF REGULATION

The Barrier

Opportunities for Resolution or Improvement

BARRIER 2: LACK OF AWARENESS

BARRIER 3: ISOLATION

BARRIER 4: WHERE TO SEEK ADVICE

BARRIER 5: SCARCITY OF CAPITAL

IMPLICATIONS FOR MANUFACTURING ASSISTANCE

3 Improving Manufacturing: Sources of Assistance for Smaller Companies

PRIVATE SECTOR ASSISTANCE

Consultants

Vendors and Suppliers of Technology

Supplier Chains

Professional and Trade Associations

Books and Periodicals

PUBLIC SECTOR ASSISTANCE

State and Local Initiatives

Universities.

Technical Schools, Community Colleges, Apprenticeship Programs

Federal Programs

Federal Laboratories

Department of Defense

Department of Commerce

National Center for Manufacturing Sciences (NCMS)

Shared Manufacturing Facilities/Teaching Factories

OTHER MODELS FOR COORDINATED MANUFACTURING ASSISTANCE

Cooperative Extension Service

Japanese Kohsetsushi Centers

4 Effectiveness of Manufacturing Technology Centers

OBSERVATIONS REGARDING THE MTCS

5 Conclusions and Recommendations

6 Minority Opinion

APPENDIXES

A Manufacturing Establishments by Size and State

B Selected State and Local Programs

QUALITY MANAGEMENT CONSORTIA (QMC)

GEORGIA TECH INDUSTRIAL EXTENSION SERVICE

PENNSYLVANIA TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (PENNTAP)

C Federal Register Notice and Procedure for MTC Selection

References

Bibliography.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references (p. 123-136).

ISBN:

9786610195725

9781280195723

128019572X

9780309586061

0309586062

9780585143156

0585143153

OCLC:

70771876