What type of manufacturing focuses on producing items both cost-effectively and with the flexibility to meet individual customer demands?

The correct answer is Mass Customization. This type of manufacturing is specifically designed to combine the efficiencies of mass production with the personalization aspects of customized production. It allows companies to produce goods that can be tailored to meet the specific needs and preferences of individual customers while still benefitting from the cost efficiencies associated with larger scale production.

Mass Customization leverages technology and adaptable manufacturing processes to enable flexibility in production. It aims to address the growing consumer demand for personalized products without sacrificing the cost-effectiveness typically found in standard mass production. This approach is increasingly vital in modern markets, where customers expect a higher level of personalization in their purchases.

In contrast, while economies of scale refers to the cost advantage that arises with increased output, it does not inherently allow for the flexibility required to accommodate individual customer needs. Flexible manufacturing systems are designed to be agile and adaptable but may not always focus on achieving cost-effectiveness in the same way that mass customization does. Job shop manufacturing is typically associated with custom orders or small batch production and is generally not structured to achieve the efficiencies seen in mass production or mass customization.