Sectormanufacturing

Sectormanufacturing is a term used in some sociotechnical discussions to describe production systems organized around collective or sect-like groups, with emphasis on democratic governance, shared ownership, and alignment with group values. The term is not widely standardized and can refer to a range of practices.

In organizational studies and at times in debates about community-based industry, it describes how groups coordinate resources to produce goods while pursuing ethical or cultural aims. In speculative or futurist discourse, it can refer to highly decentralized, group-governed manufacturing networks.

Key features commonly associated with sectormanufacturing include worker governance, participatory decision-making, transparent accounting, and supply chains that reflect the group’s ethical commitments. Production may rely on modular, small-batch processes, local sourcing, and flexible scheduling to accommodate shared priorities.

Applications are seen in worker cooperatives in sectors such as textiles, artisanal manufacturing, and light fabrication, as well as in community-owned facilities and open-source hardware projects that move toward local production with shared ownership.

Challenges include raising capital, achieving efficiencies at scale, navigating regulatory requirements, and maintaining coherence of purpose as markets change. Critics warn that maintaining democratic governance can slow decision-making and complicate commercialization.

Related concepts include cooperative manufacturing, social enterprises, and open-source hardware.