Workforce Development for Global Manufacturing and Technology Transfer: An Integrated Systems Approach

Many countries are now emerging as new hubs for international manufacturing due to the increasing costs in traditional outsourcing locations. The success of this transition will rely heavily on the establishment and maintenance of a reliable manufacturing infrastructure through an integrated systems approach.

Workforce Development for Global Manufacturing and Technology Transfer: An Integrated Systems Approach focuses on work-integrated education, training, and learning. It offers practical case studies from the manufacturing and technology sector and advocates for the integration of people, technology, and processes to develop a critical workforce that aligns with national priorities. The book presents practical and modern strategies that nations, cities, and communities can adopt to develop and sustain manufacturing for sustainable industrialization.

While this book primarily focuses on manufacturing workforce development, it is relevant to manufacturers worldwide and applies to a global audience by covering topics such as project management, product development, technology justification, and various modes of technology transfer.

Dr. Cassie B. Barlow is the President of the Strategic Ohio Council for Higher Education. Through SOCHE’s multiple programs, Dr. Barlow is focused on collaboration among SOCHE’s 23 colleges and university members, as well as professional development of faculty and staff and workforce needs of the almost 200,000 students at the regional institutions. She was the 88th Air Base Wing and Installation Commander, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (AFB), OH. In that role, she commanded one of the largest air base wings in the Air Force with more than 5,000 Air Force military, civilian, and contractor employees. Dr. Barlow retired from active duty with the US Air Force as a colonel in 2014.

Dr. Sharon Bommer is an Associate Professor in the Department of Engineering Management, Systems and Technology, University of Dayton, OH. She earned a Ph.D. in Engineering in Industrial and Human Systems, specializing in human performance and cognition. Dr. Bommer has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and two master's degrees: Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in Industrial Engineering. Before earning her Ph.D., she had a successful career working for over fifteen years in the automotive manufacturing industry in various engineering and operational roles.

Dr. Adedeji B. Badiru is Dean Emeritus, Graduate School of Engineering and Management at the USA Air Force Institute of Technology, OH. He was previously Head of Systems Engineering and Management at AFIT, Professor and Department Head of Industrial Engineering at the University of Tennessee, and Professor of Industrial Engineering and Dean of the University College at the University of Oklahoma. He is a registered Professional Engineer, a certified Project Management Professional, a Fellow of the Institute of Industrial & Systems Engineers, a Fellow of the Industrial Engineering and Operations Management Society, and a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering.