Adoption of new management tools within global engineering networks

Funder: EU FP7

Introduction

Key findings from Dr Zhang’s research at Birmingham Business School into global engineering networks (GEN) have been adopted by some of the largest manufacturing firms in the UK, leading to measurable improvements in the effectiveness and efficiency of their engineering functions.

Research objectives

The research has focused on further developing the GEN theories into practical tools which can be directly used by managers to design and optimise their global engineering operations

Research outputs

Key findings from the research are:

Engineering and technology management: GEN offers advanced methods to analyse and guide the emergence of new combinations of technologies and novel engineering capabilities.
Engineering design and innovation: GEN can contribute to the development of global technological platforms and open innovation systems along the engineering value chain.
International manufacturing and engineering: there is scope to develop novel business models incorporating advanced manufacturing capabilities, innovative operations structures and value chain integration.
Service engineering and engineering services: the transformation of manufacturing towards service-centred operations and service innovation, and the emergence of service sciences in international engineering operations, can be facilitated by GEN methodologies.
the GEN approach has been further developed into models to address particular business challenges through international collaborations, for example the GEN framework has been developed into a risk management model through a series of application projects with Danish firms.

Research impact

GEN research findings have been used to provide practical guidance to UK manufacturers looking to develop novel approaches to enhancing industrial performance in high value engineering, advanced manufacturing and innovation areas.

GEN’s direct contributions to industry have taken place through three main forms of engagement, all of which have improved the effectiveness of practices in the industry, thus achieving commercial and economic benefits.

One important route for disseminating GEN research findings to industrial audiences has been the High Performance Engineering Forum; member companies of the Forum have achieved tangible benefits from application of the approach including reduced engineering expenses, improved communication, support for novel working approaches and the introduction of innovative business initiatives.

There is also evidence of wider impact in terms of the increased awareness of the need to combine engineering and technology-related expertise with innovation management capabilities and knowledge of the changing international landscape.

The GEN framework has also been adopted as an essential input for the Excellence Engineering Education System in China co-developed by the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Cambridge University and Tsinghua University, and intended to provide a novel framework for Chinese engineering education.

Under the EC-HVEN platform, co-ordinated by Zhang, there have also been a series of industry and policy focused workshops, seminars and invited talks to international audiences.

Learn more

Find out more about the research within Birmingham Business School
Dr. Yufeng Zhang