A socio‐technical systems approach to cell design: case study and analysis

There exists a large and growing body of academic research exploring various facets of cell design. Most of this research adopts a micro‐level focus, investigating one or a few issues within this large and complex process. Further, most of this research can be characterized as technically focused, giving only limited attention to the significant human dimensions. This has led to a situation where we know a great deal about certain steps in technical design of cells (for example, how to form machine groups and parts families among small data sets), but lack a well‐developed and broadly‐focused theory of cell design and its human consequences. Based on a review of both existing cell design approaches and socio‐technical systems (STS) theory literature, this paper proposes a comprehensive model of cell system design that considers both technical and social dimensions. We illustrate the viability of this model via an observational case study of a very successful cell manufacturing implementation effort in a Fortune 500 company. We highlight the ways in which STS principles influenced and enhanced the cell system design and draw conclusions about the elements of cell system design which appear to be the most significant determinants of sustainable success.