Developing a questionnaire for the four-stage model of operations strategy

ISSN： 1366-5871

Source： Production Planning and Control, Vol.14, Iss.7, 2004-10, pp. : 613-622

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Abstract

The development of a questionnaire to classify an organization's operations in accordance with the Hayes and Wheelwright four-stage model is described. Despite its widespread acceptance, little practical application of the model is reported in the literature. This questionnaire offers the means of analysing the strategic role played by operations in an organization, and will be of use to managers, consultants, researchers and others conducting a strategic audit of an organization's operations. The paper uses the results of a large-scale postal survey using the questionnaire to test its usefulness as a research instrument in practice. The survey indicated that the questionnaire is a useful research instrument across a wide range of UK organizations, services as well as manufacturers, not for profits as well as profit seekers. The results of follow-up interviews with multiple respondents in three organizations are also reported. These highlighted a number of ways that the questionnaire might be improved.