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.
