An empirical exploration of the relationship between manufacturing strategy and environmental management : Two complementary models

Explores the interrelationships between environmental issues and manufacturing strategy. Based on the theoretical underpinnings of previous work in the field of manufacturing strategy and insights from an open‐ended and exploratory survey of strategic decision makers in a wide variety of manufacturing settings, attempts to illustrate the potential synergies between environmental management and manufacturing strategy. Expands the models of Wheelwright and Hayes (1985) and Hill (1994) in order to suggest that operational excellence may provide leverage towards environmental excellence for manufacturers.