Asiakassuuntautunut joustava ja verkottunut. Analyysi ... - Mol.fi

ABSTRACT
Koivisto, Tapio & Koski, Pasi (1999). Customer-Oriented, Flexible and Networked. An
analysis on the development trends of production systems and qualifications.
The aim of the study is to 1) describe and explain the development trends of production systems;
2) identify both preconditions and obstacles within firms in adopting new modes of operation
and outline elements of good practices in the change processes; and 2) define qualifications
needed in the future.
The empirical part of the study is based on case studies carried out in two middle-sized companies
in the fields of mechanical engineering and mechatronics and in the network of firms in
the field of health care industry. In addition, the most important suppliers of the core firms are
included in the study. The research material consists of interviews made with the personnel of
the core companies and their supplier firms, and of observations carried out within firms.
Also, the memos of the numerous team meetings held in the core firms were utilised in the
study.
According to the results of the study, the ongoing development of production systems can be
defined by the following three related characteristics: customer-orientation, flexibility and
networking. Under the pressure of a mounting global competition, companies need to emphasise
customer-oriented strategies, which means that the requirements of reacting quickly to
customers' needs and of producing customised products are increasing. In order to stay competitive,
firms are trying to introduce new modes of operation. An essential prerequisite for
staying competitive is a workforce with high qualifications. Because of the continuous technical
and organisational change, there is a need for higher theoretical and technical qualifications.
However, along with the introduction of group work at the shopfloor level, the significance
of higher social qualifications and new normative orientations is also growing. Concerning
the third characteristic, business operations are increasingly organised in the form of
networks. Firms are attempting to build intra-firm networks between different functions, R&D
and production functions, for example. Inter-firm networks are mainly created because large
companies concentrate on their core competencies and, correspondingly, use more subcontracting.
In addition, there is a general tendency to build closer relationships between the core
companies and their suppliers. Efforts to establish systematic improvement covering the
whole business network can be considered as the latest development stage.
In the core firms, two extensive development projects were launched in which participatory
methods were applied. Their general goal was to support the adoption of new modes of operation,
particularly to promote teamwork, to improve co-operation between functions and
groups, and to create development tools for the groups. Furthermore, the report includes some
recommendations for improving working life, qualifications and the functioning of the anticipation
system.
Keywords: group work, lean production, networking, qualification needs, participatory approach