Integrated portfolio planning of products and production systems
Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management
ISSN: 1741-038X
Article publication date: 25 February 2014
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the research presented is to analyse and discuss critical challenges related to the development of a production system portfolio.
Design/methodology/approach
The study employs a longitudinal case study of an industrialization project at a global supplier in the automotive industry.
Findings
This research makes two clear theoretical contributions. First, it extends the existing research on the manufacturing and R&D interface by proposing an innovative structure for production system development facilitating manufacturing companies in their efforts of being fast and cost-effective when introducing new products to the market. Second, this research identifies challenges related to the adoption of a production system portfolio and the necessary actions of a manufacturing company applying such a portfolio strategy.
Research limitations/implications
The findings should be seen as a first attempt at assisting the development of a production system portfolio that matches the product portfolio. However, since the findings are based on only one case, the findings are to some extent context-specific and thus need to be complemented by more research.
Practical implications
The research unveils challenges related to production system development and provides managers with a better understanding of some of the implications of the adoption of a portfolio strategy.
Originality/value
This empirical study is among the first to explore the implications of a production system portfolio strategy. It advances the understanding towards a fully integrated product and production system development.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This paper is part of the special issue on “Managing the Manufacturing – R&D Interface” Guest Edited by Thomas Lager and Jean-Philippe Rennard.
The authors would like to thank two anonymous JMTM referees for valuable comments and suggestions on the manuscript. The authors would also like to extend the appreciation to the The Knowledge Foundation for providing funding, and to the company and participants that made this research possible. The study was performed in the context of the XPRES framework at Mälardalen University.
Citation
Bruch, J. and Bellgran, M. (2014), "Integrated portfolio planning of products and production systems", Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, Vol. 25 No. 2, pp. 155-174. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMTM-09-2013-0126
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited