Heterogeneity and transferring practices: Implementing flow manufacturing in multiple plants

Catherine A. Maritan, Thomas H. Brush

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

91 Scopus citations

Abstract

Adopting new practices to develop capabilities and enhance competitiveness is a goal for many firms. This study of a corporate initiative to implement flow manufacturing in multiple plants highlights some elements of the interaction between the content of a complex practice, the sources of the practice knowledge, and the characteristics and competitive priorities of the recipients of the practice. Heterogeneity among the plants, stemming from both differences in resource endowments and differences in choices made by managers, presents challenges to achieving firm-wide distinctiveness.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)945-959
Number of pages15
JournalStrategic Management Journal
Volume24
Issue number10 SPEC ISS.
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2003
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Capabilities
  • Case study
  • Heterogeneity
  • Manufacturing
  • Practice transfer
  • Resource-based view

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Business and International Management
  • Strategy and Management

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