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A postal survey to manufacturing managers in six different industry sectors was conducted to ascertain their views on core competencies. Questions deemed important by the literature centred on establishing the level of understanding the manufacturing managers had on core competence and ascertaining if they operated in an environment where core competence could be built and enhanced. Their views were contrasted with those expressed in the current literature and it was concluded that manufacturing managers need to increase their knowledge and understanding of core competencies. To be more competitive they need to operate more in an outward/strategy driven way and develop a strategic architecture to enable their organisation to develop the necessary core competencies. Of the six manufacturing industries surveyed the machinery producers emerged as the strongest advocators for core competence development with the food industry having the least orientation towards their development. To assist in core competence management an Enabling core competence lens model was presented together with a framework for core competence maintenance.