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Increased flexibility is discussed as the key to competitive advantage in the CIM factory. The treatment begins with the customer and works backwards to show how CIM technology affects competitive strategy – for example in economy of scope, truncated product life cycle, multi‐mission facilities, variety, as well as flexibility. Many of the CIM advantages can be best understood by considering it as an information system. Industrial examples are given to illustrate, and strategic principles for CIM are set out. The article concludes with a look at the future possible developments of CIM.

The issue of competitiveness in US manufacturing industry is addressed. The reasons for the decline and lack of competitiveness of US manufacturing companies after the Second World War are summarised and the present situation – the application of new technologies and the globalisation of markets and competition – is described. These changes are placed in an operational context and it is concluded that the adoption of computer integrated manufacturing concepts and technology is essential as a driving force of corporate strategy to enable manufacturing industry to remain competitive or to regain competitiveness.

Aim of the present monograph is the economic analysis of the role of MNEs regarding globalisation and digital economy and in parallel there is a reference and examination of some legal aspects concerning MNEs, cyberspace and e‐commerce as the means of expression of the digital economy. The whole effort of the author is focused on the examination of various aspects of MNEs and their impact upon globalisation and vice versa and how and if we are moving towards a global digital economy.