Reconfigurable Manufacturing System and Industrial Competitiveness

Abstract

This paper has decided to use a dynamic competitive model from High Performance Manufacturing (HPM), which presents current conditions in the global industrial stage, for the future implementation of Reconfigurable Manufacturing Systems (RMSs). Thus, although RMSs may be essential for continuous improvement, globalization has made it difficult to gain competitive advantage (or even parity) in the long run by just implementing such innovating systems. This is in part due to the incessant e unpredictable (and sometimes predictable) evolution of the market structures, from demands and from product and process technologies. Hence, it may be risky to make predictions from the possible performance impact of future RMSs, taking much of the theoretical and empirical literature related to the subject. Besides, evidence from HPM empirical studies show that the corner stone of the industrial competitiveness is not to create a new trend, but to continually improve by selecting and adapting, according to needs, only the advanced manufacturing practices (AMPs) that better fit the specific context of the plant, establishing links among existing AMPs and new ones to be installed. Thus, taking the HPM context, this paper sets out current conditions for the implementation of RMS. Finally, this study make suggestions related to RMS and identifies possible directions for future research.