Mudular Product Families and Assembly Systems: a Case of Utilizing Product Modularity

 

The main objective of this thesis is to investigate the phenomenon of product modularization as an apparently both powerful and complex means. The focal research objective is to obtain an improved insight and understanding of the relationship between variables associated with configuration of modular product families and the interacting assembly system.

 

The thesis reviews extant theory and provides various classifications and discussions guided by the overall theme of product modularity and assembly systems. The empirical system analysis, based upon a longitudinal single case study, articulates a system model incorporating both structural and performance elements. The extensive and detailed case analysis provides the necessary insight into the specific variables associated with the complex configuration of modular products and assembly systems.

 

Based upon the system model a number of theoretical and managerial implications are identified. From a management point of view, the most important finding is that modularization needs to be configured for two competitive situations, i.e. the volume flexible configuration focusing on generational product variety and the mix flexible configuration focusing on the simultaneous product variety. These two views are in particular different as to the understanding of product modularization. All in all, modularization needs to be, and can be, configured with regard to the specific task, which is believed constituting one important contribution to the understanding and utilization of product modularization.