Abstract
The problems of factory design are notorious for their complexity. It is argued in this paper that factory design problems represent a class of problems for which there are crucial dilemmas and correspondingly deep-seated underlying paradoxes. These paradoxes, however, give rise to novel paradigms which can bring about fresh approaches as well as insights into their solution.
I would like to thank the referees for their insights and suggestions and pointing out some problems in earlier drafts. My approach to factory design has evolved over the years, and is still evolving, and it is largely due to the influence of Professor Horst Rittel, my professor at the University of California at Berkeley during my formative undergraduate days, who instilled much of the basis of this philosophy.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Checkland P (1984) Rethinking a systems approach. In: Tomlnson R, Kiss I (eds) Rethinking the process of operational research and systems analysis, pp 43–65. Pergamon Press, New York
Cook SA (1971) The complexity of theorem-proving procedures. Proc. of the Third ACM Symposium on Theory of Computing, pp 4–18
DeGrace P, Stahl L (1990) Wicked problems, righteous solutions. Yourden Press Computing Series, Upper Saddle River, NJ
Dixon JR, Poli C (1995) Engineering design and design for manufacturing. Field Stone, Conway, MA
Ethiraj SK, Levinthal D (2004) Modularity and innovation in complex systems. Management Science 50(2): 159–173
Funk, Wagnalis (1968) Standard college dictionary. Harcourt, Brace and World, New York
Garey MR, Johnson DS (1979) Computers and intractability: a guide to the theory of NP-completeness. Freeman, San Francisco
Hillier F, Lieberman G (2001) Introduction to operations research. McGraw-Hill, New York
Hopp W, Spearman M (1996) Factory physics. McGraw-Hill, New York
Karp RM (1972) Reducibility among combinatorial problems. In: Miller RE, Thatcher JW (eds) Complexity of computer computations. Plenum Press, New York
Karp RM (1975) On the computational complexity of combinatorial problems. Networks 5: 45–68
Krishnamoorthy MS, Deo N (1979) Complexity of minimum-dummy-activities problem in a PERT network. Networks 9: 189–194
Kunz W, Rittel H (1970) Issues as elements of information systems. Institute for Urban and Regional Development, Univeristy of California, Berkeley, Working Paper No. 131
Rittel H (1968) Lecture notes for arch, vol 130. Unpublished, Department of Architecture, University of California, Berkeley, CA
Rittel H (1972a) On the planning crisis: systems analysis of the “first and second generations”. Bedrifts Okonomen 8: 390–396
Rittel H (1972b) Structure and usefulness of planning information systems. Bedrifts Okonomen (8): 398–401
Rittel H, Webber M (1973) Dilemmas in a general theory of planning. Policy Sciences 4: 155–167
Rittel H (1975) On the planning crisis: systems analysis of the first and second generations. Reprinted from: Bedrifts ØKonmen, No. 8, October 1972; Reprint No. 107, Berkeley, Institute of Urban and Regional Development
Roberts N (2001) Coping with wicked problems: the case of Afghanistan. Learning from International Public Management Forum, vol 11B, pp 353–375. Elsevier, Amsterdam
Robinson D, et al. (1999) Achange proposal for small-scale renovation and construction projects. Project Team Report. Internal University of Massachusetts Report. Campus Committee for Organization Restructuring, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
Shaw GB (1946) The doctors dilemma. Penguin, New York
Smith J MacGregor, Larson RJ, MacGilvary DF (1976) Trial court facility. National Clearinghouse for Criminal Justice Planning and Architecture, Monograph B5. In: Guidelines for the planning and design of state court programs and facilities. University of Illinois, Champaign, IL
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2006 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Smith, J.M. (2006). Dilemmas in factory design: paradox and paradigm. In: Liberopoulos, G., Papadopoulos, C.T., Tan, B., Smith, J.M., Gershwin, S.B. (eds) Stochastic Modeling of Manufacturing Systems. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-29057-5_1
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-29057-5_1
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-26579-5
Online ISBN: 978-3-540-29057-5
eBook Packages: Business and EconomicsBusiness and Management (R0)