A challenge in product realisation, involving several functions and individuals with various specialisation, is knowledge integration. The purpose of this paper is to advance the understanding of how and when boundary objects can enable knowledge integration in a product realisation contex. Examples of possible boundary objects in the context of product realisation are engineering drawings and prototypes. Boundary objects are situational, meaning that an object may function as boundary object in one situation, but not in another. It is therefore essential to understand under what circumstances you can expect an object to function as a boundary object. Based on literature and the results from empirical studies, a four-step process assessing the potential of an object to function as a boundary object in a specific situation was developed. The suggested ´boundary object assessment process´ can be a way for manufacturing companies to achieve awareness of how, for example, engineering drawings or prototypes can be used to their full potential as boundary objects. Furthermore the ´boundary object assessment process´ contributes to theory on knowledge integration in product realisation, through the compilation of existing but fragmented evidence on boundary object applications. In addition, boundary objects have the potential to integrate knowledge between disciplines, i.e., supporting transdisciplinary work, and through the suggested ´boundary object assessment process´ the possibility to succeed with this may increase.

This paper explores specifically designed workshops, referred to as Knowledge Sharing Sessions (sessions), emphasizing their transdisciplinary nature. These sessions serve as convergence points for academia and industry to collaborate and integrate knowledge, addressing complex concepts such as boundary crossing and boundary objects. The sessions comprised two types: six theory-driven sessions led by researchers, discussing theoretical concepts related to boundary crossing and boundary objects, and four practice-driven sessions led by practitioners, focusing on the means and objects employed by their respective companies to cross boundaries between disciplines in product realisation. These sessions involved three researchers and practitioners from five large and medium-sized manufacturing companies in the Swedish industry. During the sessions, practitioners found themselves challenged by researchers to grasp and reflect upon complex concepts, while researchers faced the task of operationalizing intricate concepts like boundary objects, making them accessible and understandable for practitioners. Expanding such insights can empower practitioners to strategically design objects that effectively serve as boundary objects, thus facilitating the crossing of boundaries between disciplines. Based on the experiences gained from these sessions, the design appears relevant to strengthen transdisciplinary engineering efforts.

To achieve relevant research results, collaborative research is deemed essential in several engineering and management disciplines. When the addressed research questions are associated with larger societal challenges the need for collaboration between various actors and disciplines becomes even more urgent. In this paper, the development of a transdisciplinary research initiative aiming at supporting long-term ability for the manufacturing industry to succeed with the green transition, is described. The transdisciplinary research programme ´GRACE - Green acceleration through integrated and platform-enabled product realisation´ is an eight-year project (4+4 years), involving eleven manufacturing industries and four industrial networks. The research programme GRACE is the result of a close collaboration between industrial partners and academic researcher for almost one year. We have through workshops and various meetings jointly formulated a research agenda, based on eight research issues: (1) requirement specification and management, (2) platform principles and lifecycle strategies on different system levels, (3,4) product design and production solutions supporting circular strategies, (5,6) product and production information management, (7) shared understanding and visions, and (8) knowledge integration, operationalisation and implementation. Based on these research issues, and the priorities among the industrial partners, three initial research projects have been developed. The development of the research programme applied a co-production process, including a distinct pre-project phase. The creation of the transdisciplinary programme GRACE required trust among the involved partners, an open atmosphere, structure, joint understanding among the participants, time to read and think, and some stubbornness.

In this paper, a work procedure developed to support the collaboration and progress in the research project IDEAL - Integrated product and production platforms supporting agile and demand-driven industrial product realisation - is presented and its functionality discussed. The research project involved in total 13 researchers, five manufacturing companies and one software supplier. The research project was organised in four sub-projects, covering various aspects of a joint research question. The project started in April 2020 and ended in January 2024. The work procedure, called the ´IDEAL work procedure´, was developed based on the overall principles from interactive research combined with the framework for design research methodology (DRM). The developed work procedure provided a structure for the project, connecting the four subprojects, and thereby supported fulfilment of the joint research question. During the research project, the functionality of the ´IDEAL work procedure´ has been assessed in different ways, both in terms of how it was perceived and to what extent the planned results have been achieved. During the project we have carried out workshops to follow-up on the progress and the work procedure. In addition, follow-up interviews have been conducted with participants from involved companies. The results from the different assessment activities are synthesised and presented in this paper. To expand the applicability of the ´IDEAL work procedure´, the potential of the procedure to support transdisciplinary research is elaborated on in this paper.

Product realization is inherently transdisciplinary, resulting in the need for different functions to collaborate. However, collaboration can be hindered by boundaries, arising from differences and dependencies in knowledge. One way to integrate knowledge across these boundaries is through the use of so-called boundary objects. However, boundary objects are situational, meaning that different aspects can affect whether an object functions as a boundary object or not. Based on a systematic literature review, this paper presents a comprehensive overview of different aspects that need to be considered for an object to function as a boundary object in the context of product realization. The aspects were divided into properties relating to the object, and situational aspects connecting to the situation in which the object is used. The paper further shows the role that interplay between aspects plays, and how it can be accounted for.

The housing industry faces challenges in product data management, resulting in negative effects on productivity, efficiency, and quality. The purpose of the study presented in this paper is to elaborate on requirements and functions of a support system to mitigate challenges with product data management in the wooden single-family house industry. As a support system, a pilot product lifecycle management (PLM) system was developed with functions to fulfill the requirements. The support system was installed and tested in a real-world setting, a wooden single-family house company, Company T. The paper contributes with the insights that a PLM system for industrialized house building can be developed, fulfilling the requirements in this specific industry. The functions developed were perceived to have value and could, for Company T, mitigate their challenges with product data management. The support system facilitate integration between the pilot PLM system, the building information modeling tool and the enterprise resource planning system at Company T. Based on the study carried out, the paper concludes that a PLM system is feasible, and that it might be a way to mitigate challenges with product data management in the wooden single-family house industry.

It is widely recognised that manufacturing companies need to pay attention to sustainability aspects to be competitive. However, there is still no clarity on how to combine requirements for sustainability and profitability to achieve long-term competitive manufacturing. Furthermore, there is a need for knowledge on how to develop resilient and sustainable production systems. This paper aims to explore the state-of-the art and state-of-practice associated with the development of resilient and sustainable production systems, with a focus on challenges and enablers. To achieve this, a narrative literature review was carried out, combined with results from knowledge creation workshops with five manufacturing companies striving towards resilient and sustainable production systems.

The implementation of automated solutions in manufacturing commonly involves substantial investments in terms of both human and financial resources, and it exposes the firms to the risk of substantial losses if the expected benefits fail to materialize. It is therefore important that decisions related to automated solutions are well supported. The maturity level differs across industry sectors, and the wood products industry is lagging behind in some respects. The purpose of this paper is to explore the potential challenges the wood products industry is facing related to automation decisions when designing manufacturing systems and suggest strategies that can support such decisions, with inspiration from another industrial sector. A multiple case study was conducted, involving a development project carried out in the wood products industry and another in the presumably more mature automotive industry. Automation decisions were studied in the different phases prior to the implementation of the physical manufacturing system. The findings showed both similarities and differences between the development projects. For example, in both development projects, it was decided to reach out to automation suppliers for automation technology acquisition. However, the decision on to which degree to collaborate with the automation suppliers differed. Based on the similarities and differences pointed out, ideas were put forward that might support the wood products industry.

Small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have inherent characteristics, which require specific solutions for improving the sustainability performance of their operations. The purpose of this paper is to increase the knowledge on barriers and enablers for the adoption of sustainable manufacturing by manufacturing SMEs and to provide insights into what enablers can be used to overcome existing barriers. Taking, as a starting point, a systematic literature review, this paper presents a categorization of barriers and enablers for the adoption of sustainable manufacturing by manufacturing SMEs. In total, seven categories for classifying the barriers and enablers for the adoption of sustainable manufacturing within SMEs were identified: organizational, managerial and attitudinal; informational; governmental; financial; training and skills development; market and business context; and technological. Additionally, this study elaborates on what barriers could be mitigated through the enablers. This study found specific enablers with the potential to mitigate a significantly higher number of barriers and referred to them as ‘critical enablers’. SMEs aiming to adopt sustainable manufacturing practices or improve their sustainability performance are encouraged to focus on the enablers in these categories. This paper synthesizes and facilitates interpretation of the existing body of evidence on barriers and enablers for adopting sustainable manufacturing in SMEs.