Manufacturing strategy: Its assessment and practice

This study presents a method of assessing the manufacturing strategy of businesses. In the process of assessing the manufacturing strategy in thirty-five manufacturing firms, this study found several problems with the practice of manufacturing strategy and recommends some solutions. It was found that while chief executives stressed quality, technology, etc., which would contribute to a business level strategy based on product differentiation, manufacturing managers stressed cost, and the keeping of delivery promises. This mismatch of emphasis between the two executives could be a sign of problems in the effective use of the manufacturing function. A major conclusion of this study is that executives in manufacturing firms are not sufficiently ‘literate’ in matters concerning manufacturing strategy. However, this deficiency could be easily corrected by appropriate training in assessing, formulation, and implementing manufacturing strategy.