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Enhancing Responsiveness for Mass Customization Strategies through the Use of Rapid Manufacturing Technologies

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Innovative Quick Response Programs in Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Part of the book series: International Handbooks on Information Systems ((INFOSYS))

Abstract

Today, when more and more industries move towards creating markets of one, the satisfaction of increasingly individualized consumer demand is a challenge faced by many manufacturing organizations. Consequentially, this situation has led to a rapid growth in the attention given to mass customization for the fulfillment of individual consumer requirements. This chapter explores the opportunities afforded by a group of new manufacturing technologies known collectively as Rapid Manufacturing as an innovative enabler for mass customization. In particular, we consider the opportunities offered by these technologies to enhance the responsiveness of mass customization strategies. Using a stylized model and case examples, we show the potentials of the technologies as well as some challenges that still need to be overcome to achieve the ideal situation of individualized production.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre, Cardiff University, Wales, UK

    Hartanto Wong

Authors
  1. Hartanto Wong
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  2. Daniel Eyers
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hartanto Wong .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. Logistics & Maritime Studies, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Yuk Choi Road 11, Kowloon, Hung Hom, Hong Kong/PR China

    T. C. Edwin Cheng

  2. Fac. Applied Science & Textiles, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong/PR China

    Tsan-Ming Choi

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Wong, H., Eyers, D. (2010). Enhancing Responsiveness for Mass Customization Strategies through the Use of Rapid Manufacturing Technologies. In: Cheng, T., Choi, TM. (eds) Innovative Quick Response Programs in Logistics and Supply Chain Management. International Handbooks on Information Systems. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-04313-0_10

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