CIM (computer integrated manufacturing) is an acronym that has become fairly well known in recent years in manufacturing and related engineering circles. The purpose of the CIM Project at IIASA is to close the widening gap between the pace of technological, economic, and social events, on the one hand, and the progress of understanding those events, on the other.
...an easy read...very useful as additional background for engineering students since it places manufacturing processes in the larger socio-economic frame without being too jargon-laden...highly relevant to economic and tother social scientists, teachers, as well as students. - International Journal of Production Research