Duquesne University has received a $220,000 grant from the Doyle Center for Manufacturing Technology to continue work in technology advances and collaboration techniques with local defense manufacturers.
The grant, which extends into December 2008, is the third phase of funding for a project that helps manufacturers take the greatest advantage of technology advances already integrated into their operations and become players in the global economy by making the most of their extended number of suppliers. This is especially important as companies expand their boundaries to include a large number of suppliers who provide a particular set of competencies.
Research shows that even after businesses invest in technology to improve their results, they fall short of their goals because they expect technology to solve all their problems, said Dr. Ken Saban, associate professor of business administration at Duquesne and principal investigator for the project. By banking on technology alone, they fail to account for the human and organizational components of collaboration, which is critical to managing an extended manufacturing and/or supply chain network.
Saban and team members John Mawhinney, executive assistant professor, and Dr. Stephen Rau, chair of accounting, are developing ways to monitor collaboration and to better mesh technology and human processes.
“All of us are looking for quick fixes, and it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that technology can do everything,” Saban said. “Many times, the social dimension—the human factor—is ignored, but technical and social systems have to be aligned. You have to engage the work force to be successful.”
Saban and his team are piloting products with corporate partners to evaluate the level of collaboration within and across their extended business networks, allowing potential problems to be addressed.
“Working with larger companies demands more collaboration, both in creating new products and in developing different products,” Saban said. “This puts trust, confidence and new leadership skills into play. Our tool would provide a means of monitoring relationships, just as you monitor costs and supplies.”
Since 2006, Duquesne has received a series of grants totaling $612,000 from the Doyle Center for this project. The Doyle Center for Manufacturing Technology in Pittsburgh, started by U.S. Congressman Mike Doyle, connects small manufacturing firms with innovative research, development and technology. The center selected Duquesne as a partner because it operates a strong supply chain management program, focusing on production and distribution processes, and it houses knowledge on technology integration.
Duquesne University
Duquesne is a private, coeducational university with more than 10,000 students. An extensive selection of undergraduate and graduate degree programs is offered across 10 schools of study. Duquesne is consistently ranked among the nation's top Catholic universities for its award-winning faculty and 130-year tradition of academic excellence. |
