The impact of lean manufacturing on sourcing relationships
During the last decade, U.S.
manufacturing has experienced
various changes in its
cyclical and structural envivronment. Among them are the
severe back-to-back recessions of the early
1980s and the widespread restructuring efforts
undertaken in its wake, as well as increased
foreign competition, great exchange rate volatility,
and most recently, the build-down in the
defense sector. In addition, the very core of
manufacturing has been changed by the introduction
of a new paradigm, the so-called lean
manufacturing system. It deserves special
attention because of its potential long-term
effects.
