Exploring deeper structures in manufacturing strategy formation processes: a qualitative inquiry

摘要

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to explicate deeper structures in manufacturing strategy (MS)rnformation processes, in order to advance process understanding. This would be useful in identifyingrnand nurturing appropriate forms of MS formation within specific organisational settings.rnDesign/methodology/approach - Nine case studies in the Australian metal products, machineryrnand equipment manufacturing sectors, guided by the grounded theory approach.rnFindings - Deeper structures in MS processes represent linear and parallel, convergent andrndivergent, sequential and iterative progression of strategic initiatives across four broad phasesrnidentified as: initiation, consolidation, commitment and realization. The multiple progressions arernexplained by the nature of strategic initiatives, the causal relationships between the phases or modesrnand the influence of internal and external organisational contextual factors. The aggregate patternsrnare presented in the form of a conceptual model.rnResearch limitations/implications - The conceptual model needed to be tested with a largernsample of data using statistical techniques to improve its external validity. Causal relationshipsrnexplored in this study may be further strengthened using longitudinal qualitative studies.rnPractical implications - The findings are grounded in empirical data. The model presented usingrnsimple formalisms is capable of providing rich insights in aggregate terms. As such, it is expected tornhold a natural appeal to practitioners. If the findings can find their way into MS pedagogy, they canrnmake a more substantial and progressive contribution to MS practice.rnOriginality/value - The findings of this study have corroborated and explained the findings ofrnseveral recent studies that have uncovered alternative forms of MS formation. The deeperrnunderstanding of MS process developed in this study contributes to theory-building with the addedrnsignificance that this study has successfully crossed the traditional analytical boundaries.