STRATEGIC ROLES OF PRODUCTION: CORRECT, CENTRIC, COMPROMISE AND BEYOND

This paper aims to view production from a new angle, and tries to look beyond correct, centric and compromise, approaches which may no longer be sufficient for long-term competitive success. Four cases from different industries are described and used to illustrate and discuss the possibility of production playing new strategic roles. Backward, forward and lateral interactive supports are suggested to explicate how production can realize its new strategic roles. Finally, four new strategic roles of production are suggested. They are: innovation production, ramp-up production, primary production, and service production.