Impact of scale on performance and technology in process-intensive industry
Name
44869624-MIT.pdf
Description
Full printable version
Size
5.85 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
c3ebb13f19b32c8f5f2e61b7e2abc8de
Author(s)
Nystrom, Jeffrey D. (Jeffrey David), 1970-
Advisor(s)
Thomas W. Eagar.
Date Issued
1999
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
Two surveys are performed to determine production methods, competitive strategies, and scale disadvantages for a group of small manufacturing plants. Detailed comparisons of economic, operational, and development activities are presented to identify differences between industry production standards and small-scale plants. As a group, the small-scale plants had similar production costs to the standard-scale plants. The small-scale plants experienced lower average unit fixed costs as a result of lower capital investment and indirect labor expenses. The small-scale plants operated closer to their theoretical efficiency levels than the standard-scale plants. The procedure used to collect and analyze data is referred to as the direct comparison method. The direct comparison method involves conducting detailed one-to-one comparisons of production systems at the plant-level. A pattern of operational trends are reported that contribute to the economic performance of small-scale plants. The small-scale plants compensated for scale disadvantages by having greater technology independence, conserving capital, conducting internal development, and promoting process competence.
Description
Thesis (Sc.D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering, 1999.
"February 2000."
Includes bibliographical references (p. 113-116).
Subjects
Materials Science and Engineering.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Materials Science and Engineering
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