THE STRATEGIC USE OF INTEGRATED MANUFACTURING - AN EMPIRICAL-EXAMINATION

The increasing importance of advanced manufacturing technology total q uality management and just-in-time to manufacturing firms raises some basic questions as to the strategic use of these techniques in manufac turing. Does strategic use of these techniques influence performance? How is the impact of these techniques influenced by the competitive en vironment? Are the techniques actually being used strategically? A stu dy in a large sample of manufacturing organizations confirms that the use of integrated manufacturing techniques-particularly total quality- influences performance, and that these effects are magnified or dimini shed by both the competitive environment and manufacturing strategy. I r also shows that, in some cases, firms are missing opportunities to c ombine integrated manufacturing and strategy in ways that would substa ntially impact their performance.