A systematic review of research into the management of manufacturing capabilities

Abstract

Our study aims to explore the past and present knowledge related to the management of manufacturing capabilities and to assess the extent to which our knowledge of this field has developed. It places specific emphasis on the philosophical foundations of the field, while also providing a set of directions for future research. A systematic review is applied, covering 104 articles. The authors unfold a strong dominance of the positivist paradigm and call for a more balanced and informed approach in philosophical and, more specifically, methodological selection by scholars. In terms of the research content, a strong bias exists towards measuring the impact that certain manufacturing capabilities and various configurations of these may have on key performance indicators, such as cost. Our review warns on the dangers of following a dominant paradigmatic stance and on the limitations of researching a limited area of the complex and dynamic manufacturing capabilities arena.

Keywords:

• Manufacturing capabilities
• literature review
• research philosophy
• content analysis

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Obi Egbunike

Obi Egbunike is a PhD candidate at Cardiff Business School, Cardiff, UK. His main area of interest is manufacturing capabilities with a specific focus on advanced manufacturing SMEs using a grounded theory approach. He holds an MBA from Aston University, UK and a BSc degree in electrical engineering from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria.

Laura Purvis

Laura Purvis is a lecturer in Logistics and Operations Management at Cardiff Business School, UK. She holds a B.Eng. in Mechanical Engineering from Transylvania University, Brasov, Romania and a PhD in Strategic Supply Chain Management from Edinburgh Napier University, UK. Her current research focuses on global supply networks, supply chain flexibility and resilience. Laura’s previous work has been published in journals such as Production Planning and Control, International Journal of Production Economics and International Journal of Logistics Management.

Mohamed. M. Naim

Mohamed Naim is a Professor in Business Systems Engineering and Deputy Dean at Cardiff Business School. He is a Chartered Engineer, Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology, and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport. He is a director of the Logistics Systems Dynamics Group and the Centre of Advanced Manufacturing Systems at Cardiff. Mohamed works closely with industry and has had collaborations with organizations in many different sectors including medical, aerospace, construction, food and drink, and retail. Mohamed’s current research interests are on the development of lean, agile and leagile supply chain strategies; with a particular emphasis on the antecedents of supply chain resilience. Mohamed has published extensively including in European Journal of Operational Research, International Journal of Production Economics and International Journal of Production Research, as well as Production Planning and Control.