Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places...

Outlines the methods and costs of converting existing robotic systems to new applications and gives research results of software and hardware conversion strategies which speed up re‐configuration. Discusses the trade‐offs between buying new solutions or upgrading old ones, describes the uses...

Purpose – This paper aims to analyse the robotics industry using Michael Porter's extended rivalry model. His model assesses the relative strength of buyers, suppliers, potential entrants, substitutes, and rivals for an industry. Such an assessment helps firms determine if a particular...

Purpose – To provide an update on a paper published in 1987 in IJOPM . Design/methodology/approach – Provides an assessment and update of “An agenda for research on the flexibility of manufacturing processes”. Findings – Gerwin's seminal work added welcome rigor to a concept,...

Purpose – This short paper seeks to explain why the original paper “The flexibility of manufacturing systems” was written (1987), and attempts to examine at least some of the flexibility literature that has followed. Design/methodology/approach – The approach is a review and observations...

Purpose – The purpose of this is to paper discuss the impact of information and communications technology (ICT) upon the industrial property sector through the identification of observable trends now and in the near future. The paper looks at the current ICT influences on industrial property,...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review the historical development of quality assessment methods in manufacturing industry and healthcare. It examines the gap between methods across the two sectors, as well as the extent to which industrial techniques have been successfully adopted in...

Purpose – This paper aims to trace the evolution of industrial subcontracting in Japan, over a period of time. Subsequently, the transition in the spread and depth of subcontracting along with relative performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Japanese industry over a period of...