Production system flexibility and product quality relationships in manufacturing firm: an empirical research. (1st January 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nayak, Narayan C.; Ray, Pradip K.
• Is Part Of: International journal of strategic engineering asset management. Volume 1 Number 1(2012)
• Page Start: 91
• Page End: 113
• Publication Date: 2012-01-01
• Subjects: manufacturing firm -- flexibility -- product quality -- path model; Facility management -- Periodicals; Plant engineering -- Periodicals; 658.2005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1759-9733

Abstract

It has been argued in the literature that flexibility of a production system independently affect its product quality. However, no empirical examination of the interrelationships among these two factors has been documented. The objective of this research paper is to establish a relationship between flexibility and quality that consider how the determinants of manufacturing flexibility at the system level affect the desired strategic parameters in product quality. In this research, a field study of manufacturing firms in India has been made, the relevant (identified) factors have been used to test the theoretical model using path analysis approach. There have been much theoretical work and case studies on flexibility and quality control while this research provides manufacturing managers and academicians with a starting point for developing a formal process for identifying, implementing, and monitoring manufacturing flexibility, to achieve targeted product quality. The results indicate that manufacturing flexibility provide partial support for a relationship between flexibility and quality in manufacturing firms.