An International Comparison of Flexible Manufacturing Systems Technology

A survey of 253 manufacturing facilities using flexible manufacturing system (FMS) technology compares four geographic regions: Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Japan, and the United States. A rapid exponential growth rate for FMS technology was found in all regions except Eastern Europe. This aggregate view suggests that factory-of-the-future concepts will become widespread soon. This will pose a challenge to MS scholars and practitioners who must develop and implement techniques to deal with this rapidly emerging technology.