Regulatory knowledge management for semiconductor manufacturing in China

Abstract

There is a growing need to create trade data and regulatory information systems for manufacturers building new facilities in emerging world markets. These multinational companies must track world trade organization (WTO) rules as well as the domestic rules of operation. A semiconductor manufacturer must carefully monitor and take quick action on regulatory matters. The need for trade and market information and systems is now an integral part of global manufacturing. Without systems to monitor and process the every changing flow of rules and regulations, managers and engineers are less effective in preventing violations or arguing for changes. After China's accession to WTO, there has been remarkable growth in domestic regulations for the manufacture of electronic goods. Likewise, since electronic goods and components are of strategic importance to many of the worlds leading manufacturers, the rule base has become a multi-lingual and evolving collection that is extremely difficult to monitor or even effectively report about. The objective of this research is to study the management of a sub-set of the trade related data and develop a prototype information system for processing and managing trade regulations. A case analysis of the application in industry is provided.