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Integrated model of operations effectiveness of small to medium-sized manufacturing enterprises

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Abstract

The Small to Medium-sized Manufacturing Enterprise (SME) has consistently demonstrated the ability to innovate and bring to the market new technologies and advancement in manufacturing. SMEs in industrialized nations function as the supplier base for domestic manufacturing. However, as more businesses are going global, SMEs face a new challenge in competing in the competitive global market. In this research, we aim to answer the following question: by taking advantage of the challenge as new opportunities, how SMEs can reposition themselves to be more competitive in the global market. We analyze the data collected from over 3000 SMEs using an integrated productivity-oriented model. The results present us with information about SMEs’ operation and performance. We are able to link both qualitative and quantitative factors of multiple manufacturing input/output to further assess the performance of SMEs, making a set of efficiency benchmarks available. This information can be used to help SMEs better understand the problems and opportunities confronting their operations. So their business transformations can be cost-effectively conducted for more competitive edges.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Information Science, The Pennsylvania State University, Malvern, PA, 19355, USA

    Norita Ahmad & Robin G. Qiu

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  1. Norita Ahmad
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  2. Robin G. Qiu
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Correspondence to Robin G. Qiu.

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Ahmad, N., Qiu, R.G. Integrated model of operations effectiveness of small to medium-sized manufacturing enterprises. J Intell Manuf 20, 79–89 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10845-008-0105-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10845-008-0105-5

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