Research on the manufacturing sector is focused on:

• lean production methods
• use of it in manufacturing
• innovation in products and processes
• the needs and developments in SMEs
• leadership and management

Research can also be found in The Manufacturer and on the Manufacturing Foundation website.

Research is also carried out by Proskills the sector skills council for the industry.

Sources

Barnes (2002)

Barnes, D. (2002) ‘The Manufacturing Strategy Formation Process in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises’, Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development 9(2): 130-149.

Dangayach and Deshmukh (2001)

Dangayach, G.S. and Deshmukh, S.G. (2001) ‘Manufacturing Strategy: Literature Review and Some Issues’, International Journal of Operations and Production Management 21(7): 884-932.

Griffiths and Finlayb (2004)

Griffiths, G.H. and Finlayb, P.N. (2004) ‘IS-Enabled Sustainable Competitive Advantage in Financial Services, Retailing and Manufacturing’, Journal of Strategic Information Systems 13(1): 29-59.

Gugler, Mueller, Burcin Yurtoglu and Zulehner (2002)

Gugler, K., Mueller, D.C., Burcin Yurtoglu, B. and Zulehner, C. (2002) ‘The Effects of Mergers: An International Comparison’, International Journal of Industrial Organization 21(5): 625–653.

Harris and Hassaszadeh (2002)

Harris, R.I.D. and Hassaszadeh, P. (2002) ‘The Impact of Ownership Changes and Age Effects On Plant Exits in UK Manufacturing, 1974–1995’, Economics Letters 75(3): 309–317.

Olhager and Rudberg (2003)

Olhager, J. and Rudberg, M. (2003) ‘Manufacturing Strategy and E-Business: An Exploratory Study’, Integrated Manufacturing Systems 14(4): 334-345.