Classification of flexibility

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Classification of Flexibility

Although often the taxonomies presented are

the result of mixed logics, four different

classification logics can be found (1) horizontal or

by phases; () Vertical or Hierarchical; () Temporal;

(4) By the object of the variation. Among the mixed

logics, the most common is that which takes into

account both the time and the object of the

variation.Horizontal classification of flexibility

Horizontal classification of flexibility is aimed

at limiting the analysis. It makes reference to the

single manufacturing stages, and , in a wider sense,

to all the phases which constitute the 'value chain',

which also include upstream design and

purchasing; downstream distribution and

customer service. More simply, one may distinguish

between internal flexibility (product/process design

and production flexibility) and external flexibility

(purchasing and distribution flexibility). The later is

relative to the need to meet the requirements of

customers, whereas the former to the need to meet

them in an efficient manner. Therefore, in Lynch

and Cross's (11) pyramid, flexibility is in a

central position on its left there is customer

satisfaction, which is an external performance, and

on its right there is productivity, which is an internal

performance. There are also lower-level

performances product quality and delivery

reliability constitute the customer satisfaction;

delivery reliability and short process lead times

improve the flexibility; short process lead times and

process quality and cost influence the productivity.

Vertical classification of flexibility

The vertical (or hierarchical) classification of

flexibility concerns the degree of detail of the analyzed object flexibility may be estimated in

relation to the single resources of a system (micro

level) or to the whole system (macro level).

Gerwin (187) in particular describes four

levels at which flexibility may be analyzed and

measured plant and machine level; production

function and work department level; product or

product line level; global level of the firm.

Mair (14) distinguishes three levels of

flexibility a 'micro' level, characterized by the

flexibility of workers, machines and organization; a

level of factory flexibility; a level of flexibility of

the corporation's network.

On the other hand, Swamidass (188) makes a

distinction between machine-level and plant-level

flexibility the former is exclusively technological,

whereas the latter also takes into account the firm's

skills, the procedures adapted, managerial systems,

etc.

Temporal classification of flexibility

Zelenovich (18) was the first to consider

short-term or adaptation flexibility as well as

medium-long-term flexibility, which is typically

related to design adequacy. The first complete

classification of flexibility on temporal bases was

given by Merchant (18), who makes a distinction

between

(1) instantaneous flexibility, the ability to

immediately select the most suitable work

center for carrying out the operation

required by the work cycle of a certain

part;

() very short-term flexibility, the ability to

modify the sequence and mix of the parts

produced;

() short-term flexibility, the ability to modify

certain design specification of the parts of

the products;

(4) short-to medium-term flexibility, the

ability of the system to work at the

maximal levels of productivity when

production volumes are varied;

(5) medium-term flexibility, the possibility to

add or eliminate parts from the mix of

parts being produced.

(6) medium-to long-term flexibility, the

possibility to modify the manufacturing

capacity by adding or eliminating work

centers;

(7) long-term flexibility, the possibility to

adapt the system to new types of products or mix of components.

The classification of flexibility on temporal

logic found in literature usually follow the

above-mentioned lines.

Classification of flexibility by the object of

variation

A classification often cited in literature is that

by Browne (184) which, taking into account the

Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMS), considers

eight different types or dimensions of flexibility

(1) Machine flexibility the ease of change to

process a given set of part types;

() Product flexibility the ability to change to

process new part types;

() Process flexibility the ability to produce a

given set of part types;

(4) Operation flexibility the ability to

interchange ordering of operations on a

part;

(5) Routing flexibility the ability to process a

given set of parts on alternative machines;

(6) Volume flexibility the ability to operate

profitably at varying overall levels;

(7) Expansion flexibility the ability to easily

add capacity and capacity;

(8) Production flexibility the universe of part

types that can be processed.

Classification of flexibility according to more

than one variable (mixed classification)

As previously mentioned, although

classifications of flexibility according to one

variable (phase, level of analysis, time horizon or

the object of the variation) are the most common in

literature, mixed logics are also adopted. The most

common are those which consider both the object of

the variation and time, or both the object of the

variation and level of analysis (vertical logics).

Conclusion

The paper gives a summary of the definition

and classification of flexibility. Based on the firm's

context and other disciplines separately, three kinds

of explanations of flexibility are induced. Then the

classification of flexibility is discussed. The

classification of flexibility can be generalized from

five aspects horizontal, vertical, temporal, the

object of variation and mixed.

In conclusion, flexibility is a important subject

with complex understandings and many questions,

which require a future effort both of theoretical and

empirical research.

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