International implications of modern manufacturing technologies and practices: Some initial findings

This paper summarizes the early findings of a study on the potential impact of modern technologies and managerial procedures on global competitiveness. Three manufacturing sectors were studied: bicycles, footwear, and printed circuit board assembly, and three classes of countries were considered: Developed Countries (DCs), Less Developed Countries (LDCs), and Newly Industrialized Countries (NICs). Qualitative and quantitative data were gathered through on-site interviews with firms around the world. Based on these, analytical models were created that enabled prediction of manufacturing costs under alternative technologies and practices. An interesting finding that emerges is that LDCs could profit more from implementing modern management practices such as Total Quality Control (TQC).