Product flows and the role of the plant in global manufacturing networks

The role of the plant within a manufacturing network and supply chain management have been traditionally investigated separately, although there are several mutual interdependences that should be considered. In this paper we propose an integrated perspective, thus bridging the two streams of research, on the base of a large sample of survey data, gathered within the sixth edition of the International Manufacturing Strategy Survey (IMSS 6). We propose an empirical taxonomy by performing a cluster analysis on the level of inflows and outflows between the plant and the rest of the manufacturing network, as opposed to flows with suppliers and customers. In this way we identify 5 clusters, and subsequently we analyse whether there are relationships with the role of the plant, the location advantages and manufacturing and supply chain integration programmes. We find support for our hypotheses regarding the role of the plant, whether location advantages and integration programmes present a behaviour contrasting to initial expectations.