This article describes the major barriers across the design-manufacturing interface and examines ways to overcome them to achieve a smooth production start-up. An integration model reveals that formalization facilitates a smooth production start-up. Independent of the degree of formalization...

This paper suggests a framework for operations managers to use in making focus decisions in professional services. This framework is supported empirically from data from the health care industry using three types of data: (1) industry statistics, (2) case studies, and (3) questionnaire surveys....

Two basic characteristics of a service -- intangibility and simultaneity -- imply many consequences for management. Roland Van Dierdonck explores these and recommends a number of success strategies such as precise definition of the service concept, focus, internal communications and training,...

This paper empirically assesses the economic size (in terms of full time equivalent employees (FTEs)) of postponed manufacturing applications and related activities. Based on a survey among 782 companies, the differences in size and scope of applications between manufacturers, wholesalers and...