Paper trails: Mapping printing production networks using DIY sensors and image processing

Project Summary

Manufacturing firms within a cluster develop social and industrial networks that make them competitive in the market through reduced transaction costs. This is especially the case with mature small to medium sized urban manufacturing firms that have endured increasing land prices and labour costs while remaining competitive in the post industrial market. However, gathering information of the production network among such firms can be challenging especially when the information about the business partners is confidential. This study is based in Seoul, South Korea’s largest printing district to map the network among printing firms by following 10 makeshift paper delivery vehicles for 2 weeks using DIY sensors.

The analysis contributes to the literature of social networks among urban manufacturing firms, by proposing a small data methodology utilising DIY sensors to gain access to the sensitive information of collaborative networks. In a context of constant state-led industrial gentrification on urban manufacturing land, the results visualises the tight knit manufacturing community and emphasizes the role of the makeshift motorcycle drivers as the enablers of the economy of proximity and just-in-time production.

Project Methodology

By attaching a GPS and GoPro sensor kit to the makeshift motorcycles, the project gathers production network data between the printing forms following the delivery vehicles. Using analysis on the GPS readings, and image processing algorithms on the collected GoPro images, the research visualizes the trajectory of delivery vehicles, identifies stops, and the types of activities that have been conducted in each location. Reconstructing this data into network data, we analyze the role each printing firm and delivery driver conduct as part of the greater production network. The study shows that there is a hierarchy of nodes following a pyramid structure based on their event diversity and network centrality. This system is built by different strategies of drivers who find a niche under mutual selection between them and nodes.

Objectives & Research Questions

Map the production network among printing firms using sensor data.

Analyze network hierarchy and firm interactions.

Demonstrate the role of delivery drivers in enabling urban manufacturing.

Develop DIY sensor methodologies for studying sensitive industrial networks.