The advent of manufacturing technology and its implications for the development of the value chain

Abstract

This world has moved into the “Organic Era” requiring the development of “organic organisations” that would have characteristics similar to those in the “natural systems”. The factory of the future may be a virtual organisation or a physical entity with bricks and mortar, but it would be holistic and value‐driven with lean outfit, flexibility and agility as its essential characteristics. The process of value chain development would incorporate an organic approach for the transformation of the current organisations or the development of new organisations. The future organisations would have a focus on the development of self‐based characteristics for self‐actualisation, a necessary condition for their survival in the environment of declining resources, increasing customer expectations, extended organisation forms, and boundary less markets. Appropriate manufacturing technology would be used to support the organic process.