Managing technological innovations affecting product complexity, modularity and supply chain structure

Adrian E Coronado Mondragon, Christian E Coronado Mondragon

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

Modularity is one of the most relevant paradigms in manufacturing as
it has made mass customization possible through the introduction of postponement
and through the effective management of product complexity. Hence, the study of
the relationships between mass customization, modularity, technological innovations,
and the supply chain still has elements that can be used to extend existing
knowledge in the field. This chapter provides an insight of the management of
technological innovations using modularity to provide customized products. The
cases in the automotive industry addressed reveal that the capability of handling a
modular architecture in a complex product can offer an infinite number of bespoke
configurations with the sources of innovation for modular architectures located
within the firm. The findings support the use of a modular architecture to assist in
the introduction of technological innovations with a minimum disruption to the
supply chain.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationMass Customization – Engineering and Managing Global Operations
Place of PublicationNew York
PublisherSpringer
Pages87-104
Number of pages14
Edition1
ISBN (Print)978-1-84996-488-3
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2010

Keywords

  • mass customization

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