Mass customization: conceptual underpinnings, opportunities and limits

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Hart, Christopher W.L. “Mass Customization: Conceptual Underpinnings, Opportunities and”. International Journal of Service Industry Management, vol. 6, no. 2, 1995, pp. 36-45, https://doi.org/10.1108/09564239510084932.
Hart, C. W. (1995). Mass customization: conceptual underpinnings, opportunities and limits. International Journal of Service Industry Management, 6(2), 36-45. https://doi.org/10.1108/09564239510084932
Hart CW. Mass customization: conceptual underpinnings, opportunities and limits. International Journal of Service Industry Management. 1995;6(2):36-45.
Description

Is it possible to offer tailored products at mass-production prices? This paper explores the concept of mass customization, a revolutionary management paradigm that challenges traditional trade-offs between cost, quality, and customization. In the past, businesses had to choose between mass-producing inexpensive, standardized products or offering premium-priced, individually tailored goods. Mass customization combines management methods and tools to deliver customized, affordable, and high-quality products with shorter cycle times and lower costs. The authors emphasize that the power of mass customization lies in its visionary and strategic implications. By adopting this approach, companies can cater to diverse customer needs without sacrificing efficiency or profitability. The article also presents a diagnostic framework to help companies assess their potential for mass customization, considering factors like customer sensitivity, process amenability, competitive environment, and organizational readiness. Mass customization not only enhances customer satisfaction by providing personalized solutions but also transforms business strategy by enabling companies to compete on both price and differentiation. This paradigm shift offers a powerful pathway for businesses to achieve sustainable competitive advantage in today’s dynamic marketplace.

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The first research to cite this article was titled Hospitality operations: patterns in management, service improvement and business performance and was published in 1996. The most recent citation comes from a 2024 study titled Hospitality operations: patterns in management, service improvement and business performance . This article reached its peak citation in 2018 , with 13 citations.It has been cited in 107 different journals, 5% of which are open access. Among related journals, the The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology cited this research the most, with 6 citations. The chart below illustrates the annual citation trends for this article.
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