A taxonomy of manufacturing strategies and production systems using self-organizing map

The purpose of this study is to identify taxonomy of manufacturing strategies from manufacturing competitive priorities, and taxonomy of production processes from production decisions, and relation between them, using manufacturing companies in a developing country. To identify the common patterns self-organizing map was used. Relationship between production processes and manufacturing strategies was surveyed using Crosstabs and chi square test. The results demonstrate the existence of four manufacturing strategies and three production processes among manufacturing companies that are different with those studies conducted in other countries. The perception of common manufacturing strategies and production processes patterns and their relation can be useful in decision-making and strategic planning by manufacturing companies. Study as The first research on the taxonomy of manufacturing strategic groups was conducted in the countries with harsh conditions in which new approach has been used considering relationship between production strategies and processes. © 2017 Chinese Institute of Industrial Engineers.