Emergence of global manufacturing virtual networks and establishment of new manufacturing infrastructure for faster innovation and firm growth

Abstract

This paper summarises preliminary research findings from fieldwork conducted over the last three years. It introduces some typical case studies in electronics, bio-technology, home electronic appliances, and leisure apparel industrial sectors studied in order to demonstrate the background to and driving forces of manufacturing's transformation towards the global manufacturing virtual network (GMVN). It suggests that the GMVN—a new manufacturing architecture—has many distinguishing characteristics and is a promising example of the potential manufacturing configurations which could be based on a collaborative infrastructure and supporting ICT in order to address dramatic forthcoming changes in an increasingly fragmented market environment. The GMVN provides a new platform that engages developing countries’ manufacturing firms to play complementary roles and to be integrated into a global supply chain.

Keywords:

• Global manufacturing virtual network (GMVN)
• Networked organization
• Contractual manufacturing service (CMS)

Acknowledgments

Dr Yongjiang Shi is Research Director of the Centre for International Manufacturing. He is a graduate and former lecturer at Tsinghua, the leading Chinese University. He gained his PhD at Cambridge for work on international manufacturing network configurations and has taken a leading role in the conceptualisation and delivery of the Centre's research programme. His research interests cover wide areas including operations management, international manufacturing, global strategy and supply chain development, and business collaboration, especially virtual enterprises.

Professor Mike Gregory has been responsible for the initiation and development of research in international manufacturing. His early industrial career included responsibilities for manufacturing engineering and manufacturing management. He continues to work very closely with industry and has researched and published in the areas of manufacturing strategy, technology management and international manufacturing. International manufacturing is now his primary research interest. He leads the Institute for Manufacturing, and is Head of the Manufacturing and Management Division within the Engineering Department at Cambridge University.