Relationships between two approaches for planning manufacturing strategy: A strategic approach and a paradigmatic approach

Two approaches for planning manufacturing strategy, a strategic approach and a paradigmatic approach, are introduced. The key decisions of these two approaches are, respectively, located in the choices of competitive priorities and manufacturing paradigms. Three hypothesis models on the relationships between these two approaches in a turbulent environment are founded with the help of structural equation modeling and tested with 107 samples from the Chinese manufacturing industry. The results suggest that when established the relationships between manufacturing strategy and business strategy, the mediate function of competitive priorities is not suitable for manufacturing paradigms, and it is more appropriate to make the key decisions in each approach based on business strategy directly. & 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.