Identifies and discusses a number of methodological issues which can arise in the design and administration of instruments for the purpose of large‐scale survey research in manufacturing strategy and practice. Describes two such surveys. Both were undertaken by researchers at IMD, Lausanne,...

Following the moves to unification in East and West Germany, and market reform in the East, Sony Europa GmbH decided to accelerate its development in the East, with an initial focus on Poland. Robert Howard and Robert Collins in this EFMD 1992 Case Writing Competition Prize-winning Award...

Purpose – To provide an update on a paper published in 1987 in IJOPM . Design/methodology/approach – Provides an assessment and update of “An agenda for research on the flexibility of manufacturing processes”. Findings – Gerwin's seminal work added welcome rigor to a concept,...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explain why the historical integration of manufacturing with service was quickly seen as advantageous in some circumstances, but not so in others. Design/methodology/approach – The paper reviews the history of manufacturing companies in the USA...