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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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