Abstract
Changes in the competitiveenvironment of global manufacturing markets mean that study of supply chainsand business networks has become an important aspect of efforts to enhanceefficiency in industrial manufacturing. The difference between a supply chain andnetwork approach is not unambiguous and the utility of such approaches inspecific manufacturing contexts is not always clear. This paper reviews networkingtheory as it pertains to industrial manufacturing and compares this theoreticalinformation with practices in welding manufacturing. The study analyzes weldingnetworks with the example of a three welding network structure with multiplelinkages. The analysis shows that the level of cooperation in welding manufacturingis insufficiently developed for optimal network prospects and that weldingnetworks have enormous potential to increase the profitability of productionthrough effective management of internal cooperation linkages and by focusingexternal cooperation on quality assurance and welding requirements. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.mech.21.2.8463
Highlights
Study of supply chains and business networks has become an important aspect of efforts to enhance efficiency in industrial manufacturing and modern business
Empirical observations in this study have shown that more functions are focused on developing operations than promoting interfunction activity
The research in this work indicates that a lack of communication in internal functions within the focal company dominating the welding network can reduce efficiency and prospects of increasing profitability of welding manufacturing, and end product profit
Summary
Study of supply chains and business networks has become an important aspect of efforts to enhance efficiency in industrial manufacturing and modern business. Despite the considerable amount of research, there is a lack of work dealing with specific fields of manufacturing, their characteristic functions and requirements. It is not clear whether a supply chain or network approach is predominant and how the two approaches perform in specific manufacturing contexts. The paper studies the common attributes of welding networks and welding manufacturing chains dominated by a focal firm and presents an example of the internal and external linkages of a welding network. The paper discusses increases in the profitability of welding functions that may be possible as a result of increased cooperation in the network
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
