Improving operational plant performance in international manufacturing networks: the effects of integrative capabilities and plant roles |
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Authors: | Maricela C Arellano Claudia Rebolledo Zhexiong Tao |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Management, Technology and Economics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland;2. Department of Logistics and Operations Management, HEC Montréal, Montreal, Canada;3. marellano@ethz.ch;5. Department of Logistics and Operations Management, HEC Montréal, Montreal, Canada;6. Business School, University of International Business and Economics, Beijing, China |
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Abstract: | AbstractThis study adopts the resource-based view to examine how two integrative capabilities of a plant embedded in a manufacturing network enhance operational performance: the capability to connect with other plants in its manufacturing network (a networking capability, NC), and the capability to integrate manufacturing processes with new product development processes (a new product development capability, NPDC). Our model tests the indirect effect of NC on cost, quality, flexibility and delivery through NPDC. Furthermore, we test if the relationship between NC and NPDC depends on the strategic role of the plant. Using survey data from a sample of 521 plants, we confirmed the mediating effect of NPDC. However, the moderation effect was not confirmed. Our findings reveal that plants can deploy NPDC capabilities, fostered by NC, independently from their role in the network. This study contributes to the understanding of plant capabilities and plant roles in manufacturing networks. |
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Keywords: | Capabilities global operations operational performance manufacturing networks plant role |
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