Title: Interplay between agile manufacturing and the Internet of Things

Authors: Lalesca Lopes Bego; Claudia Aparecida de Mattos

Addresses: Production Engineering Department, Centro Universitário FEI, São Paulo, Brazil ' Production Engineering Department, Centro Universitário FEI, São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract: This study aims to examine the interaction between agile manufacturing and the Internet of Things (IoT) and explore the relationship between different categories of IoT and agility. Additionally, the study investigates the practices adopted by companies to reshape production paradigms within the context of IoT. To achieve these objectives, a multiple-case study was conducted involving five companies that employ IoT technology on their shop floors. The findings revealed that companies of various sizes leverage technology to transform their operations and maintain competitiveness. The cases demonstrated instances where IoT was applied at the process level, limited to specific stages of the shop floor, as well as examples of widespread implementation across entire plants. In both strategies, cases indicated notable benefits: improved market responsiveness, enhanced personalisation capabilities, reduced manufacturing costs, increased flexibility, and enhanced operational performance.

Keywords: IoT; Internet of Things; agile manufacturing; agility; digital technologies; Industry 4.0; digital transformation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJASM.2024.135379

International Journal of Agile Systems and Management, 2024 Vol.17 No.1, pp.106 - 128

Received: 07 Jan 2023
Accepted: 10 Oct 2023
Published online: 07 Dec 2023 *

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