DocumentCode :
2422247
Title :
Awareness and response strategies in small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises
Author :
Nelder, Geoff ; Jones, Dr Mike
Author_Institution :
CIM Inst., Cranfield Univ., UK
fYear :
1997
fDate :
27-31 Jul 1997
Firstpage :
702
Abstract :
Summary form only given. This paper presents data on small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises (SMME) perspectives gathered through a series of research and intervention programmes in the UK. In general, this demonstrates that SMMEs lack awareness of the external drivers of change and have a strategic focus on stability within a small network of customers and suppliers, rather than on agility and growth. In contrast, the best performing SMMEs, in terms of growth and profitability, dominate markets, have many customers and have frequent new product introductions. The paper then discusses the global scenario, in which OEMs are reducing their own value-add, creating new opportunities for SMMEs to add value in the supply chain. Improvements in communications and logistics enable SMMEs in peripheral regions and newly industrialising countries to compete globally. In this environment, the authors argue, the ability to innovate is a key survival factor. The OEMs´ demands for continuous efficiency improvements can force SMMEs in their supply base to sacrifice the resources that contribute to innovation capability. Yet, for SMMEs which lose their place in the supply chain, the ability to innovate is the only quality which will enable them to break into new markets, with new products and services. The authors illustrate their argument with three pairs of case studies, in electronics, automotive components and capital goods. Each pair of case studies features two SMMEs with similar characteristics and products, in the same region, but pursuing different strategies
Keywords :
automobile industry; electronics industry; management; manufacturing industries; product development; UK; automotive components industry; capital goods industry; communications improvements; continuous efficiency improvements; electronics industry; global scenario; growth; innovation capability; logistics improvements; medium-sized manufacturing enterprises; new product introductions; newly industrialising countries; niche market products; own-label goods; profitability; response strategies; small-sized manufacturing enterprises; supply chain added value; Computer integrated manufacturing; Consumer electronics; Manufacturing industries; Manufacturing processes; Production; Productivity; Pulp manufacturing; Stability; Supply chains; Technological innovation;
fLanguage :
English
Publisher :
ieee
Conference_Titel :
Innovation in Technology Management - The Key to Global Leadership. PICMET '97: Portland International Conference on Management and Technology
Conference_Location :
Portland, OR
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-3574-0
Type :
conf
DOI :
10.1109/PICMET.1997.653577
Filename :
653577
Link To Document :
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