K-FLOW : Knowledge management in the extended manufacturing enterprise

Coscia, E and Maiza, M and Gauberti, C and Arana, J.M. and Zufiaurre, M and Meo, F and Galassini, M and Leveaux, J.M. and Smithers, T and Bititci, Umit and Albores, P. and Martinez, V. (2002) K-FLOW : Knowledge management in the extended manufacturing enterprise. In: Proceedings of the 2002 ebusiness and eWork Conference, 2002-01-01.

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Abstract

This paper discusses knowledge management in the extended manufacturing enterprise. It was presented at the e-business and e-work conference in 2002. K-FLOW is a project co-funded by the European Commission, in the GROWTH Programme, whose aim is to develop a Software platform and a set of supporting methodologies for managing knowledge in an Extended Manufacturing Enterprise (EME). Principal elements considered in an EME are: plant production stations, design office stations, customers and suppliers. The main objective is to provide to workers of the EME, the right knowledge, at the right place, in the right form, at the right time. The expected benefits for the EME are: to earn competitiveness, to improve production, productivity and quality rates, service, and reduce costs, lead time and time to market by co-ordinating activities amongst different actors that improve the overall performance of the EME. The societal objectives are: to improve the working conditions, quality of work and workers’ skills, and reduce the environmental impact of the production processes.