Keeping pace with change: International competition in printed circuit board assembly

Ashoka Mody, Rajan Suri, Mohan Tatikonda

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

The Organizational and technological basis of production does not stand still, even in apparently 'mature' industries. Printed circuit board assembly has long been regarded as best conducted with well-known techniques in low-wage economies. That has steadily changed, based not only on innovations specific to the industry but more importantly on incremental but continuing generic progress in manufacturing and design processes. Generic innovations encompas increased automation, but the key developments have been the organizational changes associated with 'just-in-time'(JIT) manufacturing and the recent extensions of JIT-type principles to the design process. Through interviews in six countries and drawing on relevant technical expertise and literature, we develop factory models that simulated production in different settings and demonstrate the significant production cost savings that accrue through the adoption of these innovations. Gains accrue through reduced scrap and inventories, and through better time management of the firm's assets. I As such gains reach their limits, product redefinition becomes an important strategy. It follows that the ability to keep pace with ongoing innovations is a much more powerful determinant of competitiveness than cost advantage due to low wages. Especially in less developed countries, firms will need to undertake substantial investments in human capabilities, including the capacity to tap international knowledge flows on a continuing basis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)583-613
Number of pages31
JournalIndustrial and Corporate Change
Volume4
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1995
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Economics and Econometrics

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