In this thesis, a transferable concept is developed to identify possible automation potentials in existing processes in small and medium-sized enterprises, taking into account the following research questions: How does the existing process of machine labeling work? What are the weak points of the current process of machine labeling? How can possible weaknesses be eliminated and, in the best case, automated? Can the developed concept be transferred to other processes? This in turn raises the central research question of the scientific paper: How can a structured procedure for the identification of optimization potentials as a basis for process automation look like and what has to be considered when applying it?
To answer these research questions, existing concepts in the relevant literature are examined with regard to their advantages and disadvantages for the planned application. From this, a procedure divided into three main steps is developed, which offers different methodologies for the steps to be worked on. The process to be investigated and the desired primary goal of automation determine which of the methods should be used. Subsequently, the practical suitability of the developed concept is tested on the given example process of machine labeling of a medium-sized mechanical engineering company. The results of the exemplary application show that it is possible to develop a clearly structured and easy to handle concept for a medium-sized company, which recognizes the weak points and optimization potentials.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.1 Problem Definition
1.2 Literature Review
1.2.1 Existing concepts.
1.2.2 Process.
1.2.3 Automation.
1.2.4 Small and medium-sized enterprises.
1.3 Research Question
1.4 Hypotheses
2. Method
2.1 Object
2.2 Procedure and methods
2.2.1 Process analysis.
2.2.1.1 Process identification.
2.2.1.2 Process recording.
2.2.1.3 Process documentation.
2.2.1.4 Process evaluation.
2.2.2 Target Concept Creation
2.2.2.1 Conception of target processes
2.2.2.2 Comparison to the current situation
3. Results
3.1 Process analysis
3.1.1 Process identification.
3.1.2 Process recording.
3.1.3 Process documentation.
3.1.4 Process evaluation.
3.1.5 Summary of the process analysis
3.2 Target Concept Creation
3.2.1 Conception of target process.
3.2.2 Comparison to the current situation
4. Discussion
4.1 Confirmation / Disconfirmation Hypotheses
4.1.1 I. Hypothesis.
4.1.2 II. Hypothesis.
4.1.3 III. Hypothesis.
4.2 Limitation
4.3 Implication
4.4 Conclusion
Objectives and Research Themes
The primary objective of this thesis is to develop a structured, transferable concept for identifying automation potentials within existing processes of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Faced with increasing competitive pressure and structural deficits in digitisation, many SMEs struggle with the transition to Industry 4.0. This research aims to answer the central question: What does a structured approach to identifying optimization potential as a basis for process automation look like, and what must be considered during its application?
- Analysis of existing process optimization concepts in the literature.
- Development of a structured, three-stage procedure for process analysis and target concept creation.
- Empirical testing of the developed concept through a case study on machine labelling at F Maschinenbau GmbH.
- Evaluation of process efficiency and risk using methods such as Activity Focus Analysis (AFA) and Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA).
- Derivation of specific recommendations for process automation to reduce errors and costs.
Excerpt from the Book
1.1 Problem Definition
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are considered to be a motor for economic growth and employment in Germany. SMEs differ from competing large companies in that they have fewer resources available in relative terms. This may be due to insufficiently qualified personnel or to major financial bottlenecks. Nevertheless, they are exposed to the same competitive conditions (Becker, Ulrich, Schmid, & Feichtinger, 2020, p. 17). To be able to survive in this competition, the need for Industry 4.0 and automation solutions is growing. But here too, equal opportunities do not exist.
Previous Industry 4.0 concepts mainly refer to full automation in large manufacturing or service companies. However, this perspective cannot be transferred to small and medium-sized enterprises, as their economic success does not depend on scales and economies of scale but on the knowledge and skills of their own employees. (Becker et al., 2020, p. 22)
In addition to the lack of resources, SMEs have other structural deficits with regard to the possible automation of internal processes and the hoped-for increase in competitiveness. Many of the SMEs were founded as one-man businesses and have grown into medium-sized companies within just one generation. This is one of the reasons why many of the in-house processes have grown disproportionately fast with the increasing number of units and product variations. Due to a lack of time and knowledge, attention was seldom paid to whether the added activities would create added value or instead lead to the creation of error potentials (through human work steps) or an increase in costs (through waste) (Baszenski, 2015, pp. 13–14; Becker et al., 2020, p. 17; Bosse & Zink, 2019, p. 144). The only premise was a functioning process that produces the desired result.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the challenges SMEs face regarding competitiveness and digitisation, establishes the research questions, and formulates the underlying hypotheses.
2. Method: Describes the object of the case study (F Maschinenbau GmbH) and details the developed three-stage conceptual framework for process analysis, evaluation, and target concept creation.
3. Results: Presents the application of the developed concept to the machine labelling process, including detailed findings from process recording, AFA, FMEA, and the definition of a target process.
4. Discussion: Evaluates the validity of the initial hypotheses, discusses the limitations of the case study approach, and highlights the practical implications for the company.
Keywords
SME, Industry 4.0, Process Automation, Process Analysis, Activity Focus Analysis, AFA, Failure Mode and Effect Analysis, FMEA, Digitisation, Value Stream Mapping, Optimization Potential, Machine Labelling, Business Process, Efficiency, Production Management.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research focuses on creating a systematic, structured approach for small and medium-sized enterprises to identify and implement automation potentials within their existing business processes.
What are the primary themes covered in this thesis?
The core themes include the specific structural challenges of SMEs, process modelling, Industry 4.0 applications, quality management tools (AFA and FMEA), and the transition from manual to automated workflows.
What is the central research question?
The central question is how a structured procedure for identifying optimization potential as a basis for process automation should be designed and applied in a medium-sized enterprise.
Which scientific methods are utilized?
The study employs a multi-method approach, including literature review for concept comparison, expert interviews for process recording, Activity Focus Analysis (AFA) for process evaluation, and Process FMEA for risk assessment.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body covers the detailed identification and documentation of the machine labelling process at F Maschinenbau GmbH, followed by an in-depth evaluation and the proposal of a comprehensive target concept.
Which keywords best describe this study?
Key terms include SME, Process Automation, AFA, FMEA, Digitisation, and Process Optimization.
Why is the machine labelling process used as a case study?
This process was selected due to its high manual effort and significant error rate, making it an ideal candidate to demonstrate the practical effectiveness of the proposed automation concept.
How does the proposed concept minimize operational risks?
By using the Process FMEA, the research identifies critical failure modes in the current process and integrates remedial measures directly into the target process design to ensure reliability.
What is the expected benefit of this research for the client company?
The client expects a reduction in manual data input, improved process reliability through automation, and lower costs by eliminating redundant and non-value-adding process steps.
- Quote paper
- Felix Metzger (Author), 2020, Process Automation in a Medium-Sized Mechanical Engineering Company. Development of a Systematic Approach for the Identification of Potentials, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1183172
