Framework for Developing a Knowledge Warehouse Towards a Resilient Semiconductor Assembly and Testing Firm

Resilience emphasizes the recovery capability of a firm after an event of disruption. This paper proposes a framework in constructing a knowledge warehouse (KW) to increase a semiconductor assembly and testing firm’s resilience by using a backcasting approach, which consists of four steps to form the development cycles. In each cycle, the goal for moving towards resilience is set up. The second step is to identify the baseline problems. Several potential paths to reach the goal from the baseline are then analyzed. Finally, a proper path supporting the performance of specific activities (plan) is selected and further added to the KW. Therefore, any possible conflict caused from bringing in new knowledge to the existing KW should be examined and resolved. The KW is augmented through cycles. Two case studies (Earthquake and typhoon disruptions) are used to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed framework. Furthermore, discussions also refer to how Nissan and Renesas responded to a 9.0 earthquake in 2011 and to a world-class major provider of semiconductor assembly and testing services in developing its KW. At the end, several recommendations have been made for firms to prepare for resilience. Some related future research topics are also proposed.