MGF9520

Manufacturing management technologies

Not offered in 1998

Dr Nick Beaumont

6 points
* One 3-hour class per week
* First semester
* Caulfield

Objectives On completion of this subject students will be able to identify technologies and methodologies that help provide sustainable competitive advantage in world class manufacturing and relate these to companies' operations strategies; summarise the potential benefits of each technology and methodology and describe how each affects different aspects of the organisation; outline the problems (especially human and organisational problems) inherent in implementing new technology.

Synopsis Global competitiveness in manufacturing operations through the use of modern technology and methodologies, including total quality management and time based competition. An overview of methodological and technological developments; advanced manufacturing technologies such as robotics and flexible manufacturing systems; scheduling techniques such as just-in-time and materials requirements planning; the human and organisational implications of implementing new technologies.

Assessment Two assignments: 30% each
* Examination (2 hours): 40%

Prescribed texts

Ettienne-Hamilton E C Operations strategies for competitive advantage: Text and cases Dryden, 1994

Preliminary reading

Morton O `Between two worlds: A survey of manufacturing technology' in The Economist 5 March 1994