An Empirical Study on the Cumulative Model of Competitive Priorities

The competitive advantage of the manufacturers mainly roots in the manufacture and competitive priorities are important means to gain competitive advantage. Based on the competitive priorities theory of the manufacturing strategy, this paper analyzes the five competitive priorities in the manufacturing enterprises with the data come from the International Manufacturing Strategy Survey (IMSS). The factor analysis, correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis are made. This paper concludes that: (1) there are mainly positive correlations among the main elements of the competitive priorities. (2) The descending importance order of them is quality, delivery, cost, flexibility, and innovation. This order is consistent with the traditional cumulative model, which proves that the relationships among the competitive priorities are cumulative and the cumulative model exists in the manufacturing. The conclusion provides valuable ideas for manufacturing to create competitive advantage.