| Competitive manufacturing requires the breakthrough of walls between traditionally separated systems. This does not only hold true within the production system of a single firm, e.g. between process planning and production planning, but also between firms in a supply chain. However, many firms have not succeeded in their attempts to successfully integrate different subsystems. Our research examines the issue of integration from a context-sensitive perspective and aims at an improved understanding of the reasons for integration and the choices that are made. A context-sensitive perspective means that not all available possibilities for integrative practices will be appropriate in each situation. Therefore, we have to examine the specific characteristics of the situation in order to decide on the appropriate scope and level of integrative practices. |
