Learning to Change : Opportunities to Improve the Performance of Smaller Manufacturers

LEARNING TO CHANGE -- Copyright -- Preface -- STUDY METHODOLOGY -- REPORT STRUCTURE -- Contents -- Executive Summary -- PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES FOR SMALLER MANUFACTURING COMPANIES -- Barrier 1: Disproportionate Impact of Regulation -- Barrier 2: Lack of Awareness -- Barrier 3: Isolation -- Barrier 4: Where to Seek Advice -- Barrier 5: Scarcity of Capital -- SOURCES OF ASSISTANCE -- EFFECTIVENESS OF MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY CENTERS -- CONCLUSIONS -- Majority Opinion -- Minority Opinion -- RECOMMENDATIONS -- SUMMARY -- 1 Introduction -- SIZE DISTRIBUTION OF U.S. MANUFACTURERS -- GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF MANUFACTURING -- DIVERSITY OF SMALLER MANUFACTURERS -- Product or Market Sector -- Modernization -- Company Maturity and Goals -- Worker Demographics -- Geographic Characteristics (Urban versus Rural) -- GLOBAL COMPETITION: CHALLENGES CONFRONTING AMERICAN MANUFACTURERS -- RESPONDING TO THE CHALLENGES -- A ROLE FOR INDUSTRIAL ASSISTANCE EFFORTS -- 2 Improving Manufacturing Performance in Smaller Firms -- BARRIER 1: DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT OF REGULATION -- The Barrier -- Opportunities for Resolution or Improvement -- BARRIER 2: LACK OF AWARENESS -- The Barrier -- Opportunities for Resolution or Improvement -- BARRIER 3: ISOLATION -- The Barrier -- Opportunities for Resolution or Improvement -- BARRIER 4: WHERE TO SEEK ADVICE -- The Barrier -- Opportunities for Resolution or Improvement -- BARRIER 5: SCARCITY OF CAPITAL -- The Barrier -- Opportunities for Resolution or Improvement -- IMPLICATIONS FOR MANUFACTURING ASSISTANCE -- 3 Improving Manufacturing: Sources of Assistance for Smaller Companies -- PRIVATE SECTOR ASSISTANCE -- Consultants -- Vendors and Suppliers of Technology -- Supplier Chains -- Professional and Trade Associations -- Books and Periodicals -- PUBLIC SECTOR ASSISTANCE -- State and Local Initiatives -- Universities.