Organic factory of the future - a model for innovative factory

The purpose of this paper is to present the data analysis and the process of model validation for an innovative way of designing future manufacturing organisations. The “Organic Model” is derived from the way “natural systems work” and also takes conclusions from cross disciplines of science, operations/technology management and organisational studies (Agrawal and Hurriyet, 2004). An interview questionnaire was used as an instrument to capture data from 31 Western Sydney Manufacturing Organisations in order to validate the model. The perceptions of high level managers on the proposed characteristics of “organic factory of the future” (Hurriyet and Agrawal, 2001) and ratings results of each organisation against organic characteristics and processes was analysed through multivariate regression analysis, factor analysis and correlation analysis. The output factors of “Flexible and Adaptive”, “Fast and Growing” and “Agile” are highly dependent on the input factors of “ live structure” which has an “open and changing nature”, “first control structure”, “individual parts” which are also “dynamic parts as a mix of technical and managerial teams” while they also have a “sensitive and resilient nature” leading towards a level that they present greater level of “interconnection and liveliness” to become most capable level of input factor of “autonomous parts”. The process factors and catalyst factors supports the model in the task of creation of “organic factories” (Hurriyet, 2009). As a novel way the model fills in a unique gap in the manufacturing management