UNSPECIFIED (2000) Manufacturing competitiveness and fitness landscape theory. In: 15th International Conference on Computer-Aided Production Engineering (CAPE'99), DURHAM, ENGLAND, APR 19-21, 1999. Published in: JOURNAL OF MATERIALS PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY, 107 (1-3). pp. 347-352. ISSN 0924-0136.

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Abstract

Manufacturing organisations recognise that the business environment has varying levels of unpredictability. To serve such unpredictability, they utilise forecasting and decision modelling techniques at all levels (strategic to operational), but with business and customer demands intensifying, the levels of unpredictability have been increasing and the confidence in such techniques is reducing. In order to satisfy customers and remain competitive, manufacturing organisations must be able to "sense and respond". This paper provides an introduction to the concept of developing and applying fitness landscape theory to help manufacturing managers make decisions in such a manner. This approach treats the organisational system and its decisional situation as a complex adaptive system, which is continually coevolving with its environment, whilst searching for solutions and making decisions. Although this theory has biological origins, it has been applied to various areas including economic and organisational studies. In summarising, this paper argues that managers should learn from nature and develop decisions, which rely less on inaccurate forecasts and more on the ability to sense and respond (adapt). The paper concentrates on the process of making strategic decisions and the resulting organisational forms. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.

Item Type:	Conference Item (UNSPECIFIED)
Subjects:	T Technology T Technology > TS Manufactures T Technology > TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General)
Journal or Publication Title:	JOURNAL OF MATERIALS PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY
Publisher:	ELSEVIER SCIENCE SA
ISSN:	0924-0136
Official Date:	22 November 2000
Dates:	Date Event 22 November 2000 UNSPECIFIED
Volume:	107
Number:	1-3
Number of Pages:	6
Page Range:	pp. 347-352
Publication Status:	Published
Title of Event:	15th International Conference on Computer-Aided Production Engineering (CAPE'99)
Location of Event:	DURHAM, ENGLAND
Date(s) of Event:	APR 19-21, 1999

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