Premium
Combining Master and Apprentice Roles: Potential for Learning in Distributed Manufacturing Networks
Author(s) -
Bengtsson Lars,
Niss Camilla,
Von Haartman Robin
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
creativity and innovation management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.148
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1467-8691
pISSN - 0963-1690
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-8691.2010.00578.x
Subject(s) - apprenticeship , industrialisation , dual (grammatical number) , process (computing) , function (biology) , computer science , knowledge management , affect (linguistics) , manufacturing , business , manufacturing engineering , engineering , marketing , psychology , economics , art , philosophy , linguistics , literature , communication , evolutionary biology , market economy , biology , operating system
The purpose of this paper is to explore possible effects for learning when a manufacturing plant takes a double role, as being both master plant and apprentice plant, in a globally distributed industrialization process. Industrialization is here understood as the process of preparing new products for volume manufacturing. Two research questions are addressed. The first is what characterizes the dual roles. The second concerns how the dual roles affect knowledge integration and learning processes, and whether this arrangement facilitates learning between master and apprentice. Based on a study of a global telecom equipment company, the paper provides insights into some of the challenges and effects of dynamic switching of roles. By separating the network function from the strategic role of the plant, the study identifies four options for learning. The case adds to the literature on learning in manufacturing networks and to previous research on how distributed processes affect innovation capability.