Managing Advanced Manufacturing Systems

What is it like managing current advanced manufacturing systems? This study aims to reflect the reality of manufacturing management in the 1990s by utilising a large amount of collected data. Longitudinal observations and recording of the work activities of a substantial sample of manufacturing managers, were conducted personally by the author. Detailed data collection has already extended over 19 years and is continuing. In this kind of human centered research, where the technical setting is not ignored, it becomes apparent that many of the statements on how managers should manage, are questionable. Indeed, many of the prescriptions on which management theory is based are challenged. The view taken here is that manufacturing managers should be provided with an adequate amount of analysis and left to make up their own minds how to manage and in their own style.