Title: Growth of a small manufacturing enterprise and critical factors for success

Authors: Samson Tam, W.B. Lee, Walter W.C. Chung

Addresses: Group Sense (International) Ltd, 27/F, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's, Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong. Department of Manufacturing Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Department of Manufacturing Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Abstract: This paper explains how a new start-up company has evolved from an SME to become a global company. It analyses the growth strategy of the company over a nine year period. The company took several important decisions so as to be able to create new competencies. The evolution of the company is analysed and discussed in a period of six stages. A conceptual model for competency building is formulated and discussed. Such a model is applicable to other SMEs to repeat its growth path.

Keywords: small manufacturing enterprise; SMEs; strategy; total quality management; TQM.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMTM.2001.001422

International Journal of Manufacturing Technology and Management, 2001 Vol.3 No.4/5, pp.444-455

Published online: 02 Jul 2003 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article