Management, technology and agility: the emergence of a new era in manufacturing

Byline: Steven L. Goldman, Roger N. Nagel This paper explores the impacts of technological innovations and organizational innovations on the competitiveness of manufacturing enterprises, in a US context, but with reference to developments in Japan. The adoption of technological innovations and the utilization of technical resources are seen not as objective processes, but as part of managerial decision-making based on management's value systems and agendas. The next stage in the development of manufacturing industry is seen as the emergence of the highly-responsive and 'agile' manufacturing enterprise, sometimes taking the form of 'virtual companies' to exploit transient or niche markets as they emerge. The key to this agility in a manufacturing enterprise is a more flexible approach to inter-firm cooperation, and the development of the creative skills of the management and the workforce.