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Strategies For Manufacturing In Southern China, Hilda M.S Lai, Domenic Sculli

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

This paper investigates the structure of industrial and business network strategies in the global manufacturing environment based on empirical data from 87 manufacturing firms in the Pearl River Delta of Southern China. Relevant data was collected using a questionnaire approach and analyzed using appropriate statistical techniques. Hierarchical cluster analysis was employed to devise taxonomy for industrial network strategies. Three distinct clusters were identified: Network Integrators, Network Learners and Network Conformists. Results indicate that the former two clusters, though differing in the extent of scale, adopt a holistic approach in developing both intra- and inter-firm strategies and that the third cluster …