Centre for International Manufacturing

Current Research Programmes

Global value networks

Integrating research on firm networks, supply networks and global value-chains. Projects study the dynamics of industry structures at international, national and regional levels. The work will focus on firm and sector specific studies, and particularly on networks involving more 'open' manufacturing systems.

Engineering networks

How leading companies manage their globally dispersed engineering operations in changing business environments. This activity also includes a number of industrial projects and benchmarking activities with peer groups. A specific PhD research project targets the evolution of the global machine tool industry.

Production networks

A company’s international ‘manufacturing footprint’ – the location of its plants around the globe, what their roles should be and how they interact. Projects include: the internationalisation process of MNCs including reasons to pursue cross-border production; global production network configuration, development and coordination; and risk and reward management in overseas investments.

Supply networks

Projects include: product characteristics that influence the evolution of global food supply networks; mechanisms for achieving quick response in global supply chains; co-ordination and control processes in FMCG supply chains; outsourcing approaches used in the electronics sector; supply chains in emerging firms and indsutries, service firms and regional sector-clusters.

Service operations in multi-organisational networks

Projects include: service business development in manufacturing companies in terms of understanding strategic context, network integration, capability development across key service and supply operations, service supply chain performance metrics, and network organisation design and configuration methodologies.

Effective post M&A integration

To develop accessible, structured processes which will enable managers to execute post M&A integration with greatly enhanced speed, effectiveness and strategic fit. The work includes the synthesis of a generic M&A process integration framework.

Designing sustainable supply networks

This research explores how to design more sustainable supply chains including benchmarking current capabilities.

Mapping global value chains

Focusing on techniques for mapping global value chains within new technology based projects. Collaborators: Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge Centre for Applied Photonics and Electronics, Judge Business School.

Disruptive supply network models

Exploring disruptive supply chains that support new business models including alternative routes to market.

Multi-nationals from emerging economies

How firms from emerging economies are changing the industrial landscape through new forms of manufacturing and supply networks.

High Value Production

Understanding the strategic importance of production and the impact