Competitive factors and their relative importance in the US electronics and computer industries

The process of identifying and ranking the competitive factors is critical to management for formulating manufacturing strategy because it prioritizes criteria by which manufacturing performance will eventually be evaluated. An empirical study of 382 US computer and electronics firms shows that higher product quality and lower production cost are the most important competitive factors. However, the correlations of these two competitive factors and sales growth and profitability performance measures are not statistically significant. The results suggest that achieving high quality or low cost alone is not enough to improve or sustain a firm's competitive position and there is a need to explore the emerging role of innovation and advanced manufacturing technology for achieving sustainable competitive advantage

Critical factors for achieving manufacturing flexibility

In this empirical study of 382 US computer and electronics companies, the relationship between manufacturing flexibility and its five infrastructural scales was examined. These infrastructural scales include workforce autonomy, communication, inter-departmental relationships, supplier flexibility and technology. The results suggested that all infrastructural scales, except workforce autonomy, have a direct and positive effect on a firm's manufacturing flexibility. Discussion and managerial implications of the results were also presented in this paper

Integrated approach to batch manufacturing systems

This study demonstrates that an integrated system concept will be of great help for manufacturers using batch process technology to enhance their capability to respond quickly to the changing market. Before attempting to form any external relationship, a broad base of internal support should be first laid out