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To provide a systemic view of competitive advantage in small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). Gaining a competitive advantage involves a process that evolves over time and which considers the role of three factors: the entrepreneur, the firm's resources and capabilities and the supporting institutions.

The case study method was selected as an exploratory research method. Many of the findings were based on secondary data while results were confirmed or complemented to some extent by primary data. Primary data were collected via an electronic questionnaire and semi‐structured telephone interviews with SMEs' owners in the Mexican footwear industry.

Changes in the business environment may transform the grounds on which SMEs conduct their business. Consequently, adaptation, new relationships and creativity may emerge as a way to overcome scarcity of resources and/or difficulties in gaining access to resources that contribute to their competitive advantage.

The results present only a preliminary picture limited to the period 1985‐1999. Furthermore, most findings from the primary data refer to responses provided by medium‐sized enterprises so the position of small enterprises may need to be revised.

Findings may pose interesting implications for entrepreneurs, policymakers and supporting institutions, for the way in which they work together and the impact this may have on SMEs' competitive advantage.

This paper presents the design of a re‐configurable workflow system which is based on a product definition schema with the objective to expedite the product development activities. This proposed system is characterised by its ability to cope with unexpected changes during the early stages of product development by re‐configuring the workflow of relevant processes, thereby significantly enhancing the agility of the entire system. A novel approach based on a four‐layered product definition schema is adopted to provide the conceptual foundation for the development of a rapid product design system which has to cope with the frequent change requests due to ever‐changing customer demands in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

To develop a performance measurement system (PMS) in the application of supplier relationship management operated under a supply chain benchmarking framework. Acting as a monitoring tool for evaluating the performance of maintenance logistics providers against the defined performance levels stated in the contract, and facilitating the application of benchmarking approach in maintenance logistics activities.

A six tiers collaborative management model is designed in building the PMS, by which information sharing of performance history of suppliers is made possible. By following the work flow of the PMS, performance of suppliers is benchmarked with the best‐in‐class supplier, resulting in the identification of the most appropriate supplier for the particular requirement.

PMS helps a company and its suppliers to understand the performance gap between its service levels with the best‐in‐class practice. The resulting performance gap provides valuable information in the formulating of a new supply chain and strategic plan in solving problems and challenges in aviation industry. By means of PMS, a company can make decisions with the basis of a good relationship with its business partners, especially in the maintenance logistics area.

The design of PMS must take into consideration of the data sources, the duration of taking the required data, and the focal point on collecting information. Moreover, findings from the study have to be revised every two years.

By applying PMS in one of the leading airlines in Hong Kong, suppliers' deficiencies in the logistics performance are identified easily. Moreover, current operational service level is effectively enhanced and the combination of the best‐in‐class supplier service package is accurately selected.

This paper aims to improve the understanding of e‐business, competitive advantage and their roles in the UK SMEs. This paper uses case studies to examine what is needed for SMEs to change from an “old” traditional business strategy to a new “e” business strategy.

A range of academic and practitioner literature related to IT, e‐business, and different business models is reviewed. Nine case studies were used to collect information from SMEs in the UK.

It may be possible for some SMEs to integrate the internet technology into an overall strategy and this new technology could lead to a competitive advantage. However, owners' attitudes towards new technology, the knowledge and skills of management and the workforce are recognised as potential problematic issues.

The results of an academic literature review and nine case studies were employed to construct a prototype of an e‐business model named “Competitive Advantage Through E‐business” (CATE‐b). In that respect the CATE‐b prototype model identifies possible e‐business application areas and proposes a plan for e‐business integration.

This paper presents two case studies on the implementation of activity based costing (ABC). The first case is a company based in Melbourne, Australia, which manufactures engineering components. The second case study is a specialty chemicals company based in Hong Kong. The case studies discuss the introduction of ABC and the benefits and problems experienced during implementation in each company. Based on the experiences of the two companies, factors critical to successful implementation of ABC systems are identified.

This paper describes a process of generating a new product idea based on activities observed in a real‐life case. A model is proposed that adapts the approach used by venture capitalists in developing new products. The application of this model draws empirical data from the field. Sometimes the product idea extracted is already patented; permission may be required from the owner to manufacture by a licensing arrangement, or to modify the product. Even if the product is not patented, it may be advantageous to form a strategic alliance with the current product supplier. The R&D manager of a SME may use it to build a learning system in the firm to screen product ideas from the market for reconfiguration. The use of this model is considered reliable, predictable and less risky. It has the benefits of being low cost and a fast process suitable for the e‐business environment.

To present a research model attempting to build an innovative common gateway complaint with Rosettanet Standards for the secure message exchange between electronic businesses under this age of internet economy. The use of Rosettanet Standards is to achieve the effectiveness and efficiency of message exchange and consequently gain mutual benefits by means of agile response for cross‐organizational co‐operation.

The common service gateway is modeled by taking the advantages of transmission comply with the standard model specified by RosettaNet among business trading partners involved in supply chain system. A prototyping system compliant with the model presented is built and installed as a gateway interface of digital firms and seamlessly integrate to the firm's backend information system to conduct the message exchange with its business trading partners. The prototype is also implemented to prove the feasibility and effectiveness of this proposal of innovative model.

Through the practical experiment, the service model provided can really assist the firms using this service gateway to conduct its peer trading partners with having same gateway installed may streamline their flow of business data and create a higher value of supply chain between them in terms of communication and operation costs.

More experiments and trials of the prototyping system need to be conducted in different test cases in order to make a concrete conclusion of this paper.

The adoption of international standard model is easier to implement a supply chain system and the business value is also can be achieved if the electronic data exchange is carried over the internet.

The system model presented in this paper can be a valuable reference for further similar development to build an electronic business to achieve the low cost, high efficiency, high security message exchange for digital firms at this internet era.

To illustrate the development and use of a manufacturing strategy audit tool for both assessing the current manufacturing strategy and for selecting appropriate alternative strategies with a view to implement benchmarks, specifically in garment making companies.

The paper is a supplement to the existing literature on the process of manufacturing strategy. The methodology is mainly based on the generic frameworks proposed by Platts and Gregory and Skinner and involved the development of a manufacturing strategy audit tool through the use of manufacturing system models constructed for the purpose using the IDEF0 technique. An analysis of the manufacturing system models together with company surveys led to the compilation of data regarding poor, average and better practices within garment‐making companies. The developed audit tool is a compilation of extensive data with regards to these practices for comparison purposes and for setting strategic targets.

The manufacturing strategy audit tool has been used in five case study companies which have been selected on the basis of their turnover, size and products manufactured. Only one case study has been presented here, as an exemplar, to illustrate the appropriateness of the audit tool for identifying poor, average and good practices for each of the functional areas within the company. Moreover, the use of the audit tool as a guide for the formulation of alternative strategies is illustrated.

The use of the audit approach supported by manufacturing system modelling has been found to be very appropriate for manufacturing strategy formulation and analysis. The present research illustrates its relevance and importance in the garment‐making sector for benchmarking purposes among others. The use of this methodology needs further investigation in other sectors.

Use of the tool has shown promising results in the set of companies considered for the research. It is in fact seen as a vital instrument for garment making companies around the world, willing to achieve enhanced product competitiveness in an era of liberalised apparel trade.

This paper fulfils the needs of companies, which see the process of manufacturing strategy formulation and analysis as a myth. It adds to the literature on the process of manufacturing strategy. The novel methodology using the case study technique sets the foundation for all people involved in the organisation to work in teams for identifying areas of poor performance and while appreciating benchmarks within the sector, set targets for meeting better performance levels.

This paper aims to explore the theory of technology adoption using a system‐application approach to facilitate PMA innovation span across multiple organisations to enhance overall production network effectiveness.

The survey on technology available and forecast future trends, design a workable prototype for test in real‐world airline operation under a three‐layer analysis model. Data is taken to validate the concept and correlate performance factors in PMA adoption.

The findings highlight greater operational efficiency and higher process value maintenance to be achieved through communication paths. The value process‐to‐shop concept is validated, next to value network.

This research supports maintenance business, especially with high contents of information and knowledge driven tasks for outsource service providers, can make use of the wireless system adoption rules for assets and maintenance performance management.

The paper presents organisations with a tool such that portable maintenance device can be identified as contribution in different levels, focus and functional effects. Within a critical process, airlines can better manage their dynamic operation process for higher revenue generation.