Manufacturing strategy: a pictorial representation

Author: Mills John   Neely Andy   Platts Ken   Gregory Mike  

Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing Ltd

ISSN: 0144-3577

Source: International Journal of Operations & Production Management, Vol.18, Iss.11, 1998-11, pp. : 1067-1085

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Abstract

This article describes an updateable picture of manufacturing strategy content, called a "strategy chart". It is based on established manufacturing and business strategy theory and is designed for use by managers in a wider strategy development process. Three cases are used to examine and improve methods for constructing a strategy chart; to explore the biases inherent in this representation of strategy; and to assess its utility. Preliminary conclusions are that charts present manufacturing strategy content more holistically than normally achieved and can make "strategy" a more understandable and communicable concept for manufacturing managers and workforce. The approach also provides useful insight into the development of a firm's manufacturing strategy over time, providing the potential for managers to examine their strategy process and to learn from the past.