Critical Success Factors for Manufacturing Networks as Perceived by Network Coordinators

Abstract

While networking among small and medium-sized manufacturing firms (SMEs) is a growing phenomenon, there has been little empirical study of the factors that lead to the success of these networks. This study identifies the following eight success factors for manufacturing networks of SMEs, which are ranked by perceived degree of importance to the success of the network: (1) participant character; (2) chief executive officer (CEO) support; (3) confidence; (4) dedication; (5) capabilities; (6) external relationships; (7) intermediary; and (8) information technology. Four success factors were perceived to be significantly more important in joint production and marketing networks compared to joint learning and resource sharing networks: (1) participant character; (2) confidence; (3) external relationships; and (4) information technology.