International approaches to computer-integrated manufacturing: perspectives from Europe and Japan

Highlights similarities, as well as differences, between European and Japanese approaches to implementing computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) and is based on research which uses the 7S model, developed by McKinsey & Co., as an underlying framework. Considers a number of pertinent factors which were employed to define a sample frame: first, to judge the influence of CIM on world-class manufacturing organizations, researches manufacturing companies in key developed countries with an established manufacturing base; second, emphasizes the impact of CIM on profit-seeking businesses; third, as the survey assessed the integration of leading-edge technology, the sample of manufacturing organizations comprised tech- nology-driven companies.