Strategy development and performance: Linking research, practice & education

Manufacturing companies need to take a strategic view which sets out clearly how their manufacturing options will be deployed to meet business needs. Strategies alone, however, are not sufficient. Appropriate and consistent performance measurement systems are also needed to stimulate, support and monitor strategy implementation. This paper outlines a practical approach to the linking of research and practice in the development of strategic decisionmaking processes for manufacturing companies. Research into the development of methods for tackling these issues is described and, focusing on manufacturing strategy development, a method (or 'process') is outlined. Observed preliminary benefits of the research methods used and the application of the resultant 'processes' accrue in the development of longer term, in-depth and more relevant collaboration between industry and academe.