Human oriented and technology oriented manufacturing systems

Three approaches to development of new manufacturing systems are discussed. The technology oriented approach is exemplified through Computer-IntegratedManufacturing (CIM). A human oriented approach is also described. The utmost alternative is called Human-Integrated-Manufacturing (HIM). A third, combined, approach is called Computer-Human-Integrated-Manufacturing (CHIM). Swedish manufacturers are among the leading companies in the world as adopters of advanced manufacturing technologies, but according to the action plans of 125 manufacturers they seem to emphasize the human oriented approach to a higher extent than the technology oriented. The ultimate goal for a manufacturer in Sweden and in Japan tends to be the combined approach, but the routes to that end differ. Japanese manufacturers are focusing the manufacturing process and are using human and organizational solutions to perfect the process, while Swedish manufacturers to a higher extent tend to adapt the manufacturing process to match the human/organizational