The Competitiveness and Performance of Small Manufacturing Firms: An Analysis of Matched Pairs in Scotland and England

1989 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. 1241-1263 ◽  
Author(s):  
P N O'Farrell ◽  
D M W N Hitchens
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Manufacturing Firms ◽  
Matched Pairs ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Small Companies ◽  
The Core ◽  
Fixed Assets ◽  
Advisory Systems ◽  
And Performance

In this paper we present a comparative analysis of the competitiveness and performance of matched pairs of small manufacturing companies in Scotland and the south of England. Several aspects of performance are investigated, and evaluations of the price and quality competitiveness of the product samples are made. One-third of Scottish products were judged to be of an unacceptable quality by the matched English companies. English companies are manufacturing to a higher quality but at a similar price to the Scottish ones. English firms displayed higher levels of skill and were more aware of the need to train. The empirical evidence provides confirmation of the conceptual framework, namely that production-related issues lie at the core of the problem of competitiveness for small companies. The findings suggest that government assistance should shift away from fixed assets to soft assets, and especially towards training and advisory systems.

scholarly journals RE-ENGINEERING STRATEGY AND PERFORMANCE OF LARGE MANUFACTURING FIRMS IN KENYA

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 102-118
Author(s):  
Jacob Kithinji ◽  
Gladys Rotich ◽  
Allan Kihara
Keyword(s):  
Manufacturing Industry ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Manufacturing Firms ◽  
Theory Of Constraints ◽  
Local Market ◽  
Unique Contribution ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Turnaround Strategies ◽  
Engineering Strategy ◽  
And Performance

Purpose: Most of the large manufacturing firms in Kenya have been experiencing declining performance in terms of revenue, sales and the profit margins for more than a decade. This has seen some of the large manufacturing firms in the country consider strategies such as relocating or restructuring their operations, opting to serve the local market through importing from low-cost manufacturing areas instead of adopting turnaround strategies. This therefore prompted a question on whether turnaround strategies such as reengineering strategy are effective for the manufacturing firms; hence the motivation of this study. Methodology: This study was informed by theory of constraints. A descriptive research design was adopted while 708 large manufacturing firms in Kenya registered under the Kenya Association of Manufacturers were targeted. The sample size for the study was 249 firms selected randomly from all the 14 sectors of the manufacturing industry in Kenya. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire, while mean, frequencies and percentages were used to describe the data. Correlation and regression analysis were done to show direction, magnitude and significance of the association between the variables. Findings: The findings revealed that re-engineering strategy had significant and positive influence on the performance of large manufacturing firms in Kenya. The findings further revealed that organizational culture had significant moderating effect on the relationship between reengineering strategy and performance of large manufacturing companies. The study concluded that reengineering strategy as one of the turnaround strategies positively influenced the performance of large manufacturing companies. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: It is therefore recommended that the management of large manufacturing firms uphold reengineering strategy in order to enhance performance.

PRODUCT INNOVATION AND PERFORMANCE OF LARGE MANUFACTURING FIRMS IN KENYA: A CASE OF BAMBURI CEMENT LIMITED (LAFARGE HOLCIM)

2021 ◽  
pp. 66-79
Author(s):  
Kimberly Mwaura ◽  
Washington Okeyo
Keyword(s):  
Product Innovation ◽  
Resource Dependence ◽  
Industrial Area ◽  
Resource Dependence Theory ◽  
Manufacturing Firms ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Innovation Research ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Corporate Office

ABSTRACT The increasing demand for cement in Kenya has attracted new entrants into the market, increasing competition amongst producers of cement. This study finds out the role of product innovation on performance of large manufacturing firms, a case study of Bamburi Cement Limited. The study was guided by Innovative Firm theory, theory of Dynamic Capability, Resource Dependence Theory and the Institutional Theory. This study adopted a descriptive research design. The study's population entailed all workers of BCL serving in 6 departments in the Corporate Office, Industrial Area and also in Athi River. The departments include Innovation and Technical Services Department, the Commercial Department, the IT Department, Human Resource Department, Production & Maintenance Department and the Finance Department. A total of 470 employees formed the target. The Yamane formula (1967) was applied to obtain the sample for the study. From the 470 workers 216 of them were to be obtained from the targeted departments. A Stratified random sampling was applied for proportionately selecting the 216 sample of employees from the population targeted. A questionnaire was used to collect primary data. Qualitative data was analysed using content analysis and presented in different themes. The study concluded that there exists a positive relationship between product innovation strategy and performance of large manufacturing firms. Therefore, large manufacturing firms should continually embrace product innovation as this strategy provides a framework for creating new products and improving the performance. Manufacturing companies need to implement policies that encourage a process innovation culture. Keyword: Product, innovation, research and development, performance.

Pengaruh Corporate Social Responsibility Terhadap Nilai Dan Kinerja Perusahaan Manufaktur

2011 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Agustin Ekadjaja ◽  
Vony Vony
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Linear Regression ◽  
Confidence Level ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Tobin’S Q ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Simple Linear Regression ◽  
Tobin's Q ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Corporate Social

This study aims to determine the effect of CSR Index to the value and performance of manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (BEI), and to find out how much the ability of the variable CSR Index in explaining the variable Tobin’s Q, ROA, and ROE manufacturing companies listed on Indonesia Stock Exchange (BEI). This study uses data sampled during the 75 years from 2007 to 2009. A statistical method used to test the research hypothesis is a simple linear regression model. Therefore, before performing hypothesis testing carried out tests of classical assumptions. The results of this study prove that, CSR Index has a significant effect on Tobin’s Q and ROE with 95% confidence level. However, CSR Index has no significant influence on ROA with 95% confidence level. Key words : CSR Index, Variabel Tobin’s Q, ROA, ROE

Comparative analysis of business models of top pharmaceutical manufacturing companies: fifi nancial analysis

2020 ◽  
pp. 43-52
Author(s):  
L.E. Yasinskaya ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Financial Analysis ◽  
Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient ◽  
Pharmaceutical Companies ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Revenue Growth ◽  
Commercial Activities ◽  
Pharmaceutical Manufacturers ◽  
Research Procedure

Introduction. Earlier, the comparative analysis of the commercial and investment activities of the companies that play the key roles in the investment processes in the Russian pharmaceutical industry and operate within the four main business models (biotechnological, generic, specialized pharmaceutical companies, active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturers) has been conducted. No full assessment of the companies’ activitiesis conceivable without a financial analysis of their activities to identify the risks of investment activities. Objective of the study. A detailed comparative analysis of the financial standing of domestic pharmaceutical manufacturers operating within the selected business models for further identification of potential financial risks for investors. Research procedure and article structure. Analysis of RAS statements (forms 1 and 2) of 72 over 500 million revenue companies grouped together as selected business models for the period from 2015 to 2019. Results. The researchers provided a detailed description of the commercial activities of domestic pharmaceutical companies within the business models under consideration. The companies within various business models showed positive revenue growth rates over the past five years. All business models demonstrate consistently high business profitability and a significant share of own capital in the asset profile. Conclusion. The results of the study show the stable financial standing of the pharmaceutical companies within various business models. The biotechnology sector companies that are the most attractive for investments have the highest quality financial standing. The specialized and generic companies show similar consistently strong performance. API manufacturers that the companies with relatively small revenues are actively developing and are attractive to restrained budget investors.

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