The effects of ICT on the manufacturing transnational corporation

Scaife, Brian

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/78242 Copy

Description

Title

The effects of ICT on the manufacturing transnational corporation

Author(s)

Scaife, Brian

Issue Date

1996

Keyword(s)

• Information and communication technologies
• Manufacturing

Abstract

This paper is concerned with the development of information and communication technology (ICT) since the 1970s and its effect on the manufacturing transnational corporation (MTNC) in four key areas: management control, design, manufacturing process, and the office. Management control is examined in two areas: the coordination and monitoring of functions. ICT assists in both the improvement of policy decisions and in added flexibility and negotiating power. The design area relates the usage of CAD/CAM to the collaboration on design work. The manufacturing process reviews the introduction of Numerical Control (NC) machines, robotics, flexible manufacturing systems (FMS), and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) thereby leading to the unmanned factory using an FMS linked with the electronic office and other information systems. The effects of ICT on the office environment, considered the area most affected, include personnel losses and the introduction of the knowledge worker. The conclusion is that the primary effects of electronic-based technology in the factory and office are associated with rationalization and efficiency rather than expansion.

Publisher

Graduate School of Library and Information Science. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Series/Report Name or Number

Katharine Sharp Review ; no. 002, Winter, 1996

ISSN

1083-5261

Type of Resource

text

Language

en

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/78242

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 1996 is held by Brian Scaife

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