Application of DEMATEL method in the analysis of factors affecting flexible manufacturing in Iran's automobile industry (Study case: Saipa group companies)

Automotive companies must consider strategic initiatives to compete and respond to dynamic customer demand. In this regard, flexible manufacturing is a strategy that is used in the productivity, quality of the final product and vulnerabilities caused by unexpected changes in the volume and mix of orders in the automotive industry. The current research aimed to identify and analyze the influenceability and Permeability factors affecting flexible manufacturing in Iran's automobile industry. This research is applied in terms of purpose and terms of research typology. It is among mixed research with qualitative and quantitative approaches. The statistical population of this research was the professors and experts of industrial management, business management and industrial engineering in the qualitative section, and according to the purpose of the research, sampling in this research was done in a targeted manner using the snowball technique and in the number of 26 people. The statistical population of this research was quantitatively senior and middle managers of Saipa group companies, who participated in this research using the convenience sampling method. In the qualitative part, the data obtained from the interviews using thematic analysis and MAXQDA2020 software led to the extraction of 11 factors affecting flexible manufacturing, and the analysis of the quantitative part was performed using the Dematel method. Based on Dematel analysis, the make-smart of lines, process re-engineering, and technological infrastructure significantly influence other factors. Professionalization of human capital, automation and technological platforms are also more permeability than other factors.