Analysis of manufacturing strategy as an explanatory factor of competitiveness in the large Spanish industrial firm
Section snippets
Introduction: Conceptualisation of the manufacturing strategy and analysis of its influence on firms’ competitiveness
The aim of this work is to test whether there exists any correlation between the manufacturing strategy and competitive success (measured by business performance) of a sample of large industrial firms set up in Spain. To this end, the work is structured in the following way: firstly, the concept of manufacturing strategy and its influence on firms’ competitiveness is analysed; secondly, in the light of the literature on the subject, the proposed objectives and hypotheses to be tested are
Objectives and hypotheses
In the extent that, following Skinner's seminal paper, works have proliferated on manufacturing strategy and its influence on firms’ competitiveness, clarity on this subject has been reduced and, in this sense, the review of the literature reveals the existence of different approaches or theoretical viewpoints and scarce empirical research in this field. Nevertheless, some works have explored and empirically test, in different ways, the influence of manufacturing strategy on firms’
Data collection
The database used to test these hypotheses is made up of information provided by a mail survey. This questionnaire was aimed at the industrial firms set up in Spain which in 1994 (study reference date) employed over 200 workers, according to the list drawn up by Duns&Bradstreet International Consultancy. Hence, the total size of the objective population is 1,104 firms.
Our overall research project was initiated in May 1995 with the design of the questionnaire, which includes 175 items organised
Statistical analyses and discussion of research results
The analyses made in order to test the hypotheses are presented. Firstly, we analyse the differences in the manufacturing strategies content of the firms in the sample, in terms of their business performance. Then, we test the possible existence of a relation between the coherence of the content of the planned manufacturing strategies and the obtaining of superior business performance.16
Conclusions and limitations
This work has tested the possible existence of a correlation between the manufacturing strategy content and the business performance of a sample of large industrial firms set up in Spain. These firms have been classified in terms of their business performance and it has been checked that there do not exist significant differences between the manufacturing strategies content of the high, medium and low performers. In this way, we reach the conclusion that there does not seem to exist any profile
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to express their gratitude to the anonymous Referees of the paper, whose valuable comments and suggestions have greatly contributed to its improvement, and to the Dirección General de Enseñanza Superior e Investigación Cientı́fica, del Ministerio de Educación y Cultura (Ministry of Education and Culture) in Spain, for financing the research project PB98-1524, which this work forms part of.
References (47)
- et al.
Research in the process and content of manufacturing strategy
Omega International Journal of Management Science
(1990) Manufacturing strategyIts assessment and practice
Journal of Operations Management
(1986)- et al.
An exploratory study of the manufacturing strategy process in practice
Journal of Operations Management
(1990) - et al.
Lasting improvements in manufacturing performance
Journal of Operations Management
(1990) - et al.
Success factors in manufacturing
Business Horizons
(1992) - et al.
Dimensions of manufacturing strength in the furniture industry
Journal of Operations Management
(1997) - et al.
Business environment, operations strategy, and performancean empirical study of Singapore manufacturers
Journal of Operations Management
(1995) - et al.
Manufacturing strategy, business strategy and firm performance in a mature industry
Journal of Operations Management
(1995) - et al.
Unlocking the potential of advanced manufacturing technologies
Journal of Operations Management
(1997) - et al.
An empirical investigation of the antecedents and consequences of manufacturing goal achievement in North American, European and Pan Pacific firms
Journal of Operations Management
(1998)