Industrial context in competitiveness: strategy of manufacturing and technology in production

Abstract

The factories have to implement operations programs, in order not only to improve competitiveness, but also to maintain a continuous improvement that allows them to face the challenges due to the constant changes in the industrial context. Among such programs, technology management (GT) and manufacturing strategy (EM) could be an important factor in improving competitiveness. The purpose of this study is to verify empirically the relationship between both programs in the machinery and electronics industries, taking into account some contextual variables. To evaluate the established hypotheses, we use the database of the international project of High Performance Manufacturing (HPM) and hierarchical regression analysis. The findings show that for both sectors the incorporation of GT improved competitiveness. However, only one of the contextual variables, productive capacity of the factory, has a consistent relationship with competitiveness in the electronics sector.