Aspects of Systematic Metaphors in a Manufacturing Environment

Abstract

In this paper we investigate the likelihood of a system-based framework for the development of a general theory of manufacturing processes. We present several structures using the argument that it is the best to approach the question of theoretical structures for manufacturing by means of ‘metaphor’ aspects. Here the metaphors are taken from engineering, biology, computer science, and chemistry, thereby providing a menu of alternative starting points for a research program, using the Problem Structuring Methodology, addressed to the creation of a theoretical foundation for manufacturing.