Adjusting Process Planning Activities to context-specific Requirements in Low-Cost-Countries

摘要

Struggling to select appropriate operations practices in a global production network, manufacturing firms are facing the challenge to assess the trade-offs between globally universal versus locally adjusted production concepts. The aim of this study is to provide further insights when, how and why it is advised to adjust Quality Management Practices to specific influences associated with the economic and social development of a country. Focusing on differences in process planning, this study has chosen an in-depth case study approach at six different production sites of a globally operating automotive supplier. Applying the theoretical concept of contingency theory, this paper summarizes how country-development dependent factors influence process planning activities on the shop-floor while maintaining a similar product quality performance.