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A study in 123 manufacturing firms of the process of start-up and innovation in high- and low-technology firms. Both types of firms have founders with previous work experience in similar firms and are embedded in networks of manufacturing firms that buy and sell to each other. But high-tech firms are more innovative, have more educated founders and staff, and more often secure some kind of government help. (Abstract amended)

Interviews conducted with the chief executives of 123 manufacturing firms are used to examine the process of start-up & innovation in high- & low-technology firms. Findings reveal that both types of firms have founders with previous work experience in similar firms & are embedded in networks of manufacturing firms that buy & sell to each other. However, high-tech firms are more innovative, have more educated founders & staff, & more often secure some kind of government help. 7 Tables, 21 References. Adapted from the source document.

Applying the methodology developed by Duranton and Overman (2005, 2008), we analyze localization and dispersion of firms in China. Using a unique and detailed dataset on manufacturing firms in China, we are able to follow the changes in location patterns of firms between 2002 and 2008. Our analysis shows that firms in China are more localized than in the UK or Japan. Localization is comparable to that in the US, and takes place at relative small scales that are consistent with the size of Chinese cities. Localization increases rapidly, even in the relative short period between 2002 and 2008, especially new entrants localize. Private firms, firms from Hong-Kong, Macao and Taiwan, and foreign firms are more localized than state-owned firms. Our findings are consistent with the notion that China is increasingly liberalizing its economy, enabling (profit seeking) manufacturing firms to benefit from agglomeration economies.

This study describes the optimality in resource utilization of the manufacturing firms in the south-west region of Bangladesh. A translog production function has been estimated to describe the input-output relationship. The large scale firms have the opportunity to substitute capital for labour for producing the same level of output. On the other hand, scarcity in capital leads to lower productivity of labour in medium and small firms. Therefore, an increase in capital may lead to an increase in labour productivity as well as output for these small and medium firms. The productive labour force may ensure proper utilization of the capital resources as well as the long run growth.

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to update existing Kauffmann's NK model to evaluate the manufacturing fitness of strategic business capabilities. The updated model is tested in a digital manufacturing (DM) setting to investigate the sequence for developing cumulative capabilities that can yield the maximum payoff.


Design/methodology/approach
The authors develop a grey–DEMATEL–NK fitness model and show its application, through a case study, to a DM firm in India.


Findings
The grey–DEMATEL–NK model helps evaluate multiple manufacturing capabilities and indicates that quality–flexibility–cost–delivery is the sequence that yields the maximum manufacturing fitness (competitive payoff) for a DM firm. This sequence helps the firm reorganise its internal business processes and is different from that used to develop cumulative capabilities in a traditional manufacturing setting (quality–delivery–flexibility–cost).


Originality/value
This study presents a pilot model for computing the cumulative capabilities payoff and prescribes a sequence for developing cumulative capabilities within a DM context.

PurposeGiven the increasing emphasis on performance measurement and improvement, the purpose of this paper is to examine the current views of manufacturing executives on key aspects of performance measures. Specifically, this research focuses on current practices related to extent of use, predictive value and availability of information for 63 performance measures.Design/methodology/approachThis study was survey based. The research instrument used to collect the data was constructed based on the literature. Several statistical analysis procedures including regression analysis, cluster analysis and gap analysis are utilized to accomplish the objective of this study.FindingsThe results are compared to findings obtained from a previous study, conducted five years ago, to assess any potential changes with regard to the issues studied. The comparison of the findings from both studies revealed some similarities and significant differences attributed to the changing environment.Research limitations/implicationsThe focus of this study was Portuguese manufacturing organizations. It is quite possible that the findings may or may not hold in a global context. Since this study was survey based, it had all the limitations of survey‐based research.Practical implicationsDespite some limitations, this study provides practicing managers with useful information regarding performance measures and measurement practices. It has significant and direct implications to organizational performance information systems.Originality/valueThis paper represents an important step toward refining the theory and practice of performance measurement in manufacturing organizational operational context.