Manufacturing practices and performance: Comparisons between Australia andNew Zealand

This study compares and contrasts manufacturing practice and performance va riables in two neighbouring countries with broadly similar cultures and his tories, but only one of the countries has undertaken substantial economic r eform. A large, representative sample of manufacturing sites was examined i n Australia and New Zealand in order to compare the manufacturing managemen t practices and performance of the better performing sites in each country. New Zealands manufacturers came out ahead on most dimensions, particularly the management of people, leadership and quality management factors, where as in these factors Australia's lack of labour market flexibility was found to be a barrier to progress. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights res erved.