Company capabilities and implementing real-time activities

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the capabilities required for the successful implementation of real-time activities within a manufacturing company. Operating in real time is one of the important digitally enabled activities in manufacturing companies, and it has been suggested that a digital business strategy combined with specific digital capabilities must be in place to make it happen. Executing an effective digital business strategy requires managerial and operational capabilities. Developing and supporting the digital capabilities requires trained personnel, collaboration, technical expertise, and innovation. This research compares companies where digitality has enabled real-time operation to companies where it has not. The goal is to discover if company capability differences are the cause, and if so, what those differences are. The results show that achieving successful real-time operation requires a strong digital business strategy with robust managerial and operational capabilities combined with competent human and collaboration capabilities.