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Towards a taxonomy of search patterns of manufacturing flexibility in small and medium-sized firms

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  • Braglia, Marcello
  • Petroni, Alberto

Abstract

Manufacturing organizations are experiencing a wide range of forces which make it necessary for them to continuously adapt their operations and consider the consequences of their production activities on customer expectations, supplier constraints and changes in the law. This paper presents an empirical verification of knowledge levels and the perceived strategic relevance of manufacturing flexibility. A questionnaire survey was conducted with a sample of 89 manufacturing firms located in the area around Brescia, one of the most industrialized areas in Europe. Initial results gave a better understanding of which type of flexibility is preferred when facing different environmental challenges. In addition, insights into managerial approaches were brought out through clustering and discriminant analysis which have made it possible to emphasize some significant differences between firms in the search patterns of manufacturing flexibility.

Suggested Citation

  • Braglia, Marcello & Petroni, Alberto, 2000. "Towards a taxonomy of search patterns of manufacturing flexibility in small and medium-sized firms," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 28(2), pages 195-213, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jomega:v:28:y:2000:i:2:p:195-213
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Boyer, Kenneth K. & Leong, G. Keong, 1996. "Manufacturing flexibility at the plant level," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 24(5), pages 495-510, October.
    2. Fernando F. Suarez & Michael A. Cusumano & Charles H. Fine, 1996. "An Empirical Study of Manufacturing Flexibility in Printed Circuit Board Assembly," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 44(1), pages 223-240, February.
    3. Paul M. Swamidass & William T. Newell, 1987. "Manufacturing Strategy, Environmental Uncertainty and Performance: A Path Analytic Model," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 33(4), pages 509-524, April.
    4. Donald Gerwin, 1993. "Manufacturing Flexibility: A Strategic Perspective," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 39(4), pages 395-410, April.
    5. Gupta, Yash P. & Goyal, Sameer, 1989. "Flexibility of manufacturing systems: Concepts and measurements," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 43(2), pages 119-135, November.
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    1. Chang, Shih-Chia & Yang, Chen-Lung & Cheng, Hsin-Chia & Sheu, Chwen, 2003. "Manufacturing flexibility and business strategy: An empirical study of small and medium sized firms," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 83(1), pages 13-26, January.
    2. Gong, Zhejun & Hu, Sun, 2008. "An economic evaluation model of product mix flexibility," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 36(5), pages 852-864, October.
    3. Amoako-Gyampah, Kwasi, 2003. "The relationships among selected business environment factors and manufacturing strategy: insights from an emerging economy," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 31(4), pages 287-301, August.

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