Evolving forms of manufacturing strategy development - Evidence and implications

This paper outlines, using evidence from several case studies, the use of a lternative form of manufacturing strategy processes, Our investigation show s that the manufacturing strategy development Practices of manufacturers ar e evolving in many directions; we found several alternatives to the formal top-down planning process. Manufacturers use one or more of the following a lternatives with or without the top-down manufacturing strategy Process: a coherent pattern of actions; manufacturing/process improvement programs; or the Pursuit of core manufacturing capabilities. It appears that the variou s manufacturing strategy development processes may be tied to the strategic role of manufacturing in a company. This paper offers a framework that cap tures the relationship between the strategic role of manufacturing and the process of manufacturing strategy development. An in-depth case from a UK c ompany illustrates the evolving forms of manufacturing strategy development processes.