Manufacturing: The Formidable Competitive Weapon

by Wickham Skinner

This revised text on manufacturing management offers managers a concrete, systematic approach for integrating their manufacturing efforts into the overall corporate strategy. This edition takes into account new information on manufacturing operations, diversification, and productivity; new technological developments such as robotics and automated process control; and the new breed of manufacturing executive. Skinner's top down approach is further...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0471817392
• ISBN13: 9780471817390
• Release Date: May 1985
• Publisher: Wiley
• Length: 330 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

this review provides a synthesis of the dust cover introduction.

Wickham Skinner of the Harvard Business School is considered by many the prime initiator of the back-to-manufacturing movement. In this book Skinner refines and enlarges upon his original thesis. He begins with the basics of manufacturing strategy (that he first defined in his book "Manufacturing in the Corporate Strategy.") Then, the bulk of this book is devoted to new materials which focus on how these concepts create competitive advantage. Skinner deals with various specifics, such as harnessing CAD/CAM and robotics. He further tackles issues such as cheap foreign labor and Japanese competition, and forcefully presents the case for American manufacturing, making it clear what is required for US manufacturing to regain lost competitive strength. Wickham Skinner's writing is most innovative and forward-thinking.