Understanding persistently variable performance in plants
International Journal of Operations & Production Management
ISSN: 0144-3577
Article publication date: 6 March 2007
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to document the extent to which the relative performance of plants varies over an extended period of time, with some plants performing persistently well and sister plants performing persistently poorly. It examines why this phenomenon occurs.
Design/methodology/approach
It does so through interviews and surveys of senior manufacturing executives who oversee multiple plants.
Findings
The interview and survey results are consistent with one another and point to the importance of the “mentality” of a plant's management and workforce: how they think about the factory and its operations. The nature of that mentality is explored.
Originality/value
This paper captures what the “grey hairs” of manufacturing think of factory performance and how to pursue it.
Keywords
Citation
Collins, R.S. and Schmenner, R.W. (2007), "Understanding persistently variable performance in plants", International Journal of Operations & Production Management, Vol. 27 No. 3, pp. 254-281. https://doi.org/10.1108/01443570710725545
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2007, Emerald Group Publishing Limited