Welding management as a tool for innovative, competitive and sustainable manufacturing: Case study - West Africa

Welding management is a conceptualized framework that encompasses the planning, execution and control of variables in welding quality, productivity and economy. In recent times, welding management has received much attention due to increasing interest in outsourcing and attempts to boost welding manufacturing globally. This paper addresses welding management based on the findings of a research about companies operating in the manufacturing sector in West Africa. The project was conducted under the auspices of Lappeenranta University of Technology. It is shown that systematic welding management has received little attention in West Africa, leading to inadequate control of variables related to quality, productivity and economy in welding, thus limiting the innovativeness and competitiveness of most companies operating in metal product manufacturing in the region. This paper concludes that there is a need to develop welding management knowledge through the transfer of welding expertise, practices and technology, to enhance welding manufacturing capabilities, and thus create pre-conditions for improved and sustainable welding business operations in West Africa.