The preceding process of globalization and the continuously rising
competitive pressure on manufacturing companies in more developed
economies unveiled the limits of classical site-focused optimization
approaches. The focus of network optimization shifts ever more towards
an integrative view of manufacturing networks, striving for a
harmonization of the strategy-, configuration- and coordination levels.
This book presents such an integrative approach to the strategic
management of manufacturing networks. Besides strategic network
requirements, this book discusses the derivation of an optimal global
footprint and the optimization of network coordination activities.
Special attention is paid to the site roles concept, especially to the
concept of 'lead factory'. A large number of up-to-date cases from the
producing industry enrich the book and provide the reader with vivid
examples for the application of the presented concepts. Hence, this book
is a must-read for both practitioners and academic researchers.