The effects of product modularity on competitive performance: Do integration strategies mediate the relationship?
International Journal of Operations & Production Management
ISSN: 0144-3577
Article publication date: 18 September 2007
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of product modularity on four aspects of competitive performance: cost, quality, flexibility, and cycle time.
Design/methodology/approach
Constructs were created from a comprehensive survey of the automotive sector. Regression is used to ascertain the relationship between the constructs of product modularity and performance with three different integration strategies as mediators.
Findings
Modularity positively and directly influences each aspect of competitive performance for each integration strategy tested. Indirect effects were found for each integration strategy for cost and flexibility; and for manufacturing integration and cycle time.
Practical implications
A product modularity strategy enables simultaneous improvements on multiple dimensions of competitive performance.
Originality/value
This research is the first to empirically validate the effects of product modularity on competitive performance. Furthermore, it provides insight into the exact nature of product modularity's influence on competitive performance.
Keywords
Citation
Jacobs, M., Vickery, S.K. and Droge, C. (2007), "The effects of product modularity on competitive performance: Do integration strategies mediate the relationship?", International Journal of Operations & Production Management, Vol. 27 No. 10, pp. 1046-1068. https://doi.org/10.1108/01443570710820620
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2007, Emerald Group Publishing Limited