The strategic management of manufacturing technology

In this article, the authors first outline some of the elements of a manufacturing strategy and decision areas that support it. They next discuss the range of new manufacturing technology and its impact in several areas of the manufacturing management task. The intention is not to provide a glossary or compendium of available technologies, but to illustrate the range of technology currently available. After this brief introduction to the technologies, the authors will identify and illustrate four management reactions to the technology. The article closes with a framework for strategically matching a firm’s technological capabilities with the industry’s norms. It provides managers with a tool to help strategically manage manufacturing technology.