Best manufacturing practices and their linkage to top‐performing companies in the US furniture industry

Purpose – This study aims to examine the relationship between top‐performing US furniture manufacturers and industry's best manufacturing practices.Design/methodology/approach – In the past studies, best manufacturing practices were mostly determined using qualitative methods. In this paper, a quantitative evaluating method to determine best manufacturing practices was designed by taking into consideration qualitative criterions. A sample of 122 manufacturing practices was observed in six US furniture companies, two of them considered world‐class performers and the other four considered average. A logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between best manufacturing practices and top‐performing companies.Findings – Statistical analyses showed a positive relationship between top‐performing companies and use of best manufacturing practices by these companies. A database of best manufacturing practices was created and shared with the participant companies.Research limitations/implications – One...

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