An integrated approach to modelling of barriers in implementation of cellular manufacturing systems in production industries

To be productive and to remain competitive in the current business environment, industries need to embrace technological advancements and latest concepts. One such latest and widely preferred concept is cellular manufacturing systems (CMS). CMS, a developed version of lean manufacturing concept, aims at eliminating the unproductive works and also in reducing the number of activities. Though, CMS offers many benefits, the industries are facing many difficulties in the implementation of CMS. This research work aims at identifying and evaluating the barriers in the implementation of CMS from a real industrial setting. For this, initially, 11 barriers to the implementation of CMS were identified through comprehensive literature survey. Then, these barriers were analysed using interpretive structural modelling, a multi-criteria decision making technique. Outcome of the study indicate inventory build-up, machine utilization, control and supervision as the top three barriers in the implementation of CMS. Based on the outcome, this study provides some implications for the industry practitioners to overcome these barriers in implementing effective CMS. The implications of this study may act as a guide for the industries in increasing the production capacity and better outputs.