The Advanced Research Institute (A.R. 1.) on "the efficiency of Manufacturing Systems" was held under the auspices of the NATO Special Programm~ Panel on Systems Science as a part of the NATO Science Committee's continuous effort to promote the advancement of science through international co-operation. Advanced Research Institutes are organised for the purpose of bringing together experts in a particular field of interest to identify and make known the present state of knowledge in that area and, through informed debate, to make recommendations for directions for future research that would benefit the community at large. To this end two kinds of contribution were obtained by invitation. There were those papers which were about the current state of work in the area of manufacturing systems and its organisation; in addition three theme papers were presented to provide a stimulus to the discussion in terms of ways of thinking, both about the area and about the kind of research needed.

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I.- 1. Overview Summary.- 2. Structure of the A.R.I..- 3. Summary of Plenary Expositions.- II.- 4. Workshop Reports.- III.- 5. Final Plenary Discussion and Conclusions.- IV.- 6. Introduction.- 7. Papers Presented.- Theme Paper I Systems Concepts Relevant to the Problem of Integrated Production Systems.- Theme Paper II The Nature of Action Research.- Theme Paper III Methodology Related to Integrated Production Systems.- A Classification Scheme for Master Production Scheduling.- On the Design and Monitoring of a Master Production Scheduling Function in a Manufacturing Resource Planning Environment.- Improving Manufacturing Efficiency With Better Logistical Control.- Use of Group Technology Concepts in Integrated Production Planning.- A Cluster Algorithm for Process Layout.- Mathematical Design Tools for Integrated Production Systems.- Analysis of Flexible Manufacturing Systems.- Simulation of Production Systems With DESFOR.- Automation in Perspective An Overview.- Integration and the Definition of Responsibilities.- Production Planning in a Small Firm in the Glass Industry.- Need Assessment A Tool for Improving Manufacturing System Design.- Manufacturing Lead Times. A Key Control Factor for the Production/Marketing Integration in Small Component-Manufacturing Firms.- Manufacturing Management: Effects on Productivity and Quality.- Integrated Design and Production Systems for Strategic Production.- Problems in Formalizing Production Planning in a Threshold Country.- A Systems Approach Used in Defining Higher Management Information Needs in a Manfacturing Company, Principles and Methodology.- Manufacturing Systems Research: Impressions of a Research Programme.- List of Contributors.