Relating strategy and structure to flexible automation: A test of fit and performance implications
研究了战略与结构选择如何与柔性自动化匹配，发现质量与灵活性战略、有机结构、技能多样性和团队方法能提升自动化绩效，而低成本战略和机械结构则产生负面影响。
Abstract This study analyzed various strategy and structure choices to determine their fit relationship with flexible automation (FA). 1 Using the moderator hypothesis, we proposed that the more strategy and structure choices complemented FA's competences, the higher would be the performance impact of FA. Data from 87 FA users indicate that quality and flexibility strategies, described as complementary to FA's strengths, interact positively with FA. Low cost strategy, described as conflicting with FA, interacts negatively. Organic structure, viewed as complementary to FA, has only main effects whereas a mechanistic structure interacts negatively. At the manufacturing level, skill diversity and team approaches, considered as complementary to FA, interact positively. While a subgroup analysis of high‐low performers lends additional support to these relationships, analysis of industry subgroups indicates that some relationships are industry specific. We discuss the implications of these findings for research and practice.