Coping with Variety

Abstract

Introduction: product variety, productive organization and industrial models. Part 1 Pathways to flexible mass production: GM and the evolving industrial organization of American automobile manufacturing in the interwar years product variety in the French automobile industry - a look through the past the progressive emergence of product variety in the Japanese automobile industry the historical evolution of product variety in the auto industry - an international comparative study. Part 2 Alternative flexible production systems for product variety: beyond flexibility - Toyota's robust process-flow architecture a flexible organization for mini-lot production - the emergence of mini car makers in Japan developments in assembly system - the volvo experience flexibility through modularity - experiments with fractal production in Brazil and in Europe. Part 3 Managing flexible production systems: capability building and over-adaptation - a case of fat design in the Japanese auto industry supplier relations and performance in Europe, Japan and the US -the effect of the voice/exit choice concurrent engineering and industrial learning - a comparison of French and Japanese component suppliers the production, distribution, and repair of automobiles - new relationships and new competencies inter-firm relationships and industrial models.