Development Of New Production Systems Research Articles

The decline of managerial capitalism and visionary leadership literature

PurposeIn the recent literature on financialization and the rise of investor capitalism, the successor of managerial capitalism, which dominated until the 1970s, suggests that the firm is today enacted as a bundle of financial assets managed to create value for the shareholders. This paper aims to demonstrate how such views are established relatively recently by examining leadership literature published in the 1970s, representing an entirely different view of leadership work, the role of the firm and capital–labour relations.Design/methodology/approachTwo books and one Harvard Business Review article published by the Volvo CEO Pehr G. Gyllenhammar, one of the most prominent Swedish industry leaders of the past century and one of the architects behind Volvo’s internationally renowned Kalmar and Uddevalla plants in Sweden, are examined. Based on a critical discourse analysis framework, these two volumes are treated as representatives of what Alfred Chandler speaks of as the regime managerial capitalism, today largely displaced by the regime of investor capitalism.FindingsGyllenhammar’s discourses stresses the role of the corporations as serving a wider social community than merely the shareholders, and regard the manufacturing industry as the legitimate site for the development of new production systems better suited to a more educated workforce demanding more qualified work assignments and greater autonomy. This argument, in favour of a view of the corporation as being socially embedded and responsive to wider social needs, can be contrasted against the contemporary view of leadership and corporate governance practice.Originality/valueThe paper addresses the shift from managerial capitalist regime of the post-Second World War period to the investor capitalism of the financialized economy and the financialized firm by contrasting leadership writing of the 1970s against today’s strong focus on shareholder enrichment and the enactment of CEOs and directors as the servants of the capital owners. A long-term perspective on the changes occurring over the past four decades may enable a better understanding how leadership, governance and industry are subject to ongoing re-interpretations and understanding in the face of novel economic, social and political conditions.

Development of Revolutionary Automation Line for Meter Gauge

Almost four decades ago, Denso developed a pioneering high-speed fully automated line for meter gauges. In the years since, it has also developed several key production-line devices as production lines underwent dramatic changes. Denso’s original production line even now serves as a historically significant reference in the development of new production systems. We detail its development both for its historical value and as a guide to those now developing new process designs.

Rationalization in meat cutting – Consequences on physical workload

Meat cutting is associated with several ergonomic risk factors and a high risk of musculoskeletal disorders. The development of new production systems points to an increased degree of mechanization; instead of subdividing split carcasses of pigs with a knife, the halves are trisected by an electrical saw into ‘sixth-parts’, resulting in shorter work cycles for the workers. Recently, machine-directed line-production systems have been implemented. This study evaluates differences in the physical workload between the production systems.The postures and movements (inclinometry and goniometry) and muscular load (electromyography) of workers in the split-carcass- (five subjects), sixth-part- (ten) and line-production systems (five) were recorded.Most measures showed a statistically significant trend of declining physical exposure with increasing degrees of mechanization. For example, movement velocities of the upper arm were higher in the split-carcass system (50th percentile: mean 209°/s) than in the sixth-part (103°/s) and line production (81°/s). However, the latter two were not statistically significantly different.A novel method for quantifying posture variation, based on inclinometry, showed that the split-carcass system implied the highest variation of the upper arm postures “within-minute” (i.e., a high range of motion each minute), but the lowest “between-minute” (i.e., a low variation during the course of the workday).In conclusion, the physical workload in the line-production system was significantly lower than in the split-carcass one, and tended also to be lower than in the sixth-part system. However, there may be disadvantages in line production, such as machine-directed work pace and shorter work cycles.

A meta-analysis of the combined effect of housing and environmental enrichment characteristics on the behaviour and performance of pigs

To quantify the combined effect of housing conditions and environmental enrichment on the behaviour and performance of pigs, a meta-analysis was performed using information from 45 experiments in 42 published manuscripts. Multiple regression models were applied to evaluate the effects of space allowance per pig ( k-value; m 2/BW 0.667), group size ( n), floor characteristics (solid, partly, or totally slatted floor), bedding (presence or absence), and the number and presentation sequence of point-source objects (no object, one object, two simultaneous objects, two alternated objects, three or more simultaneous objects or three or more alternated objects) on the general activity, enrichment and object-directed exploratory behaviour, social behaviour, and productive performance. A non-linear relationship between space allowance per pig and time spent sitting and lying was found ( P < 0.10 and P < 0.01 for the k-value and its quadratic term respectively). Total time spent in exploration increased with space allowance per pig when bedding was present ( P < 0.01), and time spent exploring other pen items decreased with increasing space allowance per pig if no bedding was provided ( P < 0.001). Total time spent in exploration increased with group size ( P < 0.001). The lowest predicted total exploration time (least squares mean ± standard error) was found in the absence of bedding and point-source objects (13 ± 3%; P < 0.05), and the highest when bedding (18 ± 3%) or point-source objects (19 ± 3%) were present. Time exploring point-source objects was higher when different objects were provided ( P < 0.001). Suspended ( P < 0.05) and deformable ( P < 0.05) enrichment items increased the time spent manipulating them. Time spent exploring point-source objects was predicted to be higher in the absence of slats and bedding (32 ± 6%; P < 0.05), and lower when bedding (8 ± 9%) or slats (12 ± 4%) were present. Time engaged in negative social behaviours decreased in the presence of point-source objects ( P < 0.01), and increased with group size in the absence of bedding ( P < 0.001). Time engaged in positive social behaviours tended to decrease in the presence of point-source objects ( P < 0.10), and when space allowance per pig increased in the absence of bedding ( P < 0.10). Slight trends towards lower FCR were predicted when point-source objects ( P < 0.10) and bedding ( P = 0.10) were present. This information can be utilised in the determination of the general effects of production systems on the welfare of pigs as well as in the development of new production systems.

Farmers and researchers: How can collaborative advantages be created in participatory research and technology development?

This article examines differences in the research approaches of farmers and scientists and analyzes how these differences are related to the conditions under which both groups engage in experimental work. Theoretical considerations as well as practical experiences are presented to emphasize the great potential of farmer–researcher collaboration for rural innovation. In the first part of the article, the innovative power of farmer research and experimentation is acknowledged by presenting examples such as crop and animal breeding, development of new production systems, farm equipment, and social innovations. Considering the respective comparative advantages of farmers and scientists, and inspired by theoretical concepts in the fields of knowledge management and innovation processes, we discuss five topics for optimizing the collaboration between farmers and scientists in the field of technological innovation: user orientation, decentralization, informal modes of experimentation, externalization of tacit knowledge, and economic considerations. A better understanding of such issues could help researchers to define their own role in the research process, acknowledge the strengths and weaknesses of their own and farmers’ research approaches, overcome communication gaps, and find creative solutions for problems that typically occur in the process of participatory technology development.

Introduction and Development of New Production Systems with Non-Traditional Animal Species

This study aims to compare the development of iguana production systems in Panama with the development of other new production systems involving non-traditional animal species. Experts on new production systems using pacas, grasscutters, deer, eel, catfish and ostrich were interviewed about their experiences with the development of these systems. The study revealed six key factors for the introduction and development of new production systems. These factors are identified in conditions that are needed to start a new production system, ie the biology of the species, institutional support and the market; and in limitations that can impede the development of new production systems, such as information, social conditions and legislation. Comparing the key factors among production systems, therefore, enables the authors to explore the development of production systems and their prospects and constraints. All key factors were negative for iguana production. If the conditions for iguana production do not change, its development will reach a plateau or even decline.

A conceptual model for analysing input–output coefficients in arable farming systems: from diagnosis towards design

Environmental legislation is forcing a rethink about desirable crop production systems. The development of new production systems that meet economic and environmental objectives demands knowledge about which input–output combinations are feasible and optimal in practice. A review of concepts in agronomy and in farm and behavioural economics leads to a conceptual model with a division into production levels and accompanying production restricting factors. The highest production level can be defined by merely agronomic growth factors; the next production level is restricted by a mixture of economic and other agronomic factors. The two lowest levels are further restricted by taking into account the socio-psychological factors. With the production restricting factors of the conceptual model the differences in agronomic efficiency of actual and theoretical input–output combinations will be analysed in order to find out which input–output combinations will be feasible and optimal in practice.

Restructuring the automobile industry in Sweden: the emergence of a reflective production system

Abstract The two automobile producers operate in Sweden. Volvo is well known for its radical development of new production systems and work organization. In this paper, reasons behind the efforts to create more humanized work within Volvo are presented in a historic perspective, the point of departure being problems related to assembly line technology. After a successful introduction of new ideas, including ‘cutting off the assembly line in the Kalmar plant, Volvo took a radical step in the Uddevalla assembly plant. A completely new production system, the Reflective Production System, was developed. The process in which the reflective production system was developed is examined and the performance of the plant in Uddevalla is evaluated. Some potentials of the reflective production system for local production units are briefly discussed.

An assessment, using physiological parameters, of the welfare of group housed gilts on three feeding systems

The assessment of well-being is of prime importance in the development of new production systems. For meaningful conclusions to be drawn, every aspect under the broad headings of physical, physiological and behavioural well being should be studied. There are a number of instances where, in extreme circumstances, physiological parameters have been shown to affect health and production, and are considered by some to be useful in determining long term welfare status. There is, however, evidence to suggest that the interactions between physiological functions are too complex to allow simple conclusions. As part of a comprehensive study into welfare of group housed gilts (Stewart et al 1993) this paper describes the results of an immune challenge, an adrenal function test (ACTH challenge) and adrenal weight and how they are associated with other welfare parameters.

A new approach to production systems through developing human factors in Japan

Abstract Under the present labour conditions of Japanese industry, this study takes as its goal the development of new production systems which have a high rate of production efficiency through heightening awareness of human factors. Furthermore, this report presents new methodology and a number of models which analyse the relationship between motivation and those various factors of production systems which influence motivation. This paper discusses the findings of the investigations of typical Japanese enterprises using this method.