Guest editorial

Offsite manufacturing (OSM) continues to gain traction and momentum, with significant growth patterns predicted over the next three–five years. However, although a number of studies have explored the impact of OSM on organisations and the concomitant market, more often than not, the foci has been to present “process” or “technological” solutions to meet clients’ requirements at local, national or international levels. Although it is argued that this in itself provides significant value to the broader debate, it could equally be proffered that this could also prevent wider reflection by using a somewhat myopic lens, as this (inter alia) could stifle innovation per se, by missing real opportunities and lessons learned from other sectors and industries that have already faced similar challenges.