Case study: T mode of Haier, an advanced manufacturing mode?

Finding an advanced manufacturing mode adapted to Chinese environment is an important issue to academic community in China. Success in world market of Haier makes it hot researching issue since T mode was applied. What is T mode and whether T mode is an advanced manufacturing mode are objective of this paper. Based on analyzing theory of Advanced Manufacturing Modes (AMM) and the operational mechanism of Haier’s T mode in China, the paper demonstrates that T mode is a new AMM in strategy, technology, organization, and staff. Moreover, by comparing with other AMM, such as JIT, LP, AG, it is shown that T mode not only absorbs the main philosophy of these AMMs, but also develops a new manufacturing mode. Finally, the performances of T mode in Haier show that T mode can increase the consumer response and improve the competition ability for manufacturers in world competence.