Self-reinforcing mechanisms for cellularisation: a longitudinal case study

Abstract

Firms that adopt cellular manufacturing (CM) often need to restructure their products, personnel, equipment, factory management and organisation culture. Despite voluminous literature on CM, only a few case studies related to cellularisation exist. Therefore, to enhance understanding in this area, this paper presents a longitudinal case study on cellularisation in an electronic assembly plant. Six years of data were collected from the observations and discussions of an industrialist and an academician. Events instrumental to the persistence of CM were highlighted, with reference to path dependence analysis. Cellularisation is not entirely evolutionary or teleological but is an interplay of the two; it is significantly influenced by the positive feedback of self-reinforcing mechanisms after departing from critical junctures. The observed self-reinforcing mechanisms were expounded and divided into six categories.

Keywords:

• cellular manufacturing
• cellularisation
• case study
• implementation
• lean production

Acknowledgements

Appreciation is extended to the anonymous reviewers for the comments given which lead to the significantly improved manuscript quality.

Additional information

Funding

This research is sponsored fully by USM APEX [grant number 910345]; FRGS [grant number 6071276].