2016 Volume 16 Pages 95-101
It is becoming necessary for regional small and medium-sized manufacturers to crate manufacturing innovation in order to overcome population decline. Previous studies make known that problem-solving abilities can be key components for SME manufacturers to create innovation. However it is still unrevealed that how SME manufacturers improve their problem-solving abilities. Self-developing production equipment of SME manufacturers is the result of improving their problem-solving abilities. From case studies of SME manufacturers in Shimane prefectures developing production equipment by themselves, two characteristics are singled out such as placements of core employees and cooperation with equipment manufacturers.
