Exploring Labor Reduction in Complex Manufacturing

Cost reduction in manufacturing is paramount in today´s competitive environment. Consumers are demanding customized products at a fraction of the time it took just a few years ago. In order to meet these changing needs while reducing costs, many new methods of flexible manufacturing, new conceptual models, and advanced information technology have been developed and implemented. One aspect that is often overlooked is the human resource dimension and the possibility of enhanced performance based on improved labor usage. This paper examines the impact of labor reduction in complex manufacturing, specifically in semiconductor manufacturing. The result of this study assesses the impact of labor reduction on the efficiency and productivity of complex manufacturing