A Participatory Research Approach for studying the Design Process of Flexible Assembly Systems

Abstract More understanding about ways to consider flexibility during design processes is needed. This also demands reconsideration of research approaches for studying design processes of flexible assembly systems to develop knowledge. To assist efforts to meet these needs, a participatory research approach that facilitates elucidation of design processes of assembly systems and their relations to flexibility is presented. The approach has been applied in a heavy-duty vehicle manufacturing firm, resulting in both theoretical and practical contributions of participatory research.