Manufacturing practices and performance: Comparisons between Australia and New Zealand

Abstract

This study compares and contrasts manufacturing practice and performance variables in two neighbouring countries with broadly similar cultures and histories, but only one of the countries has undertaken substantial economic reform. A large, representative sample of manufacturing sites was examined in Australia and New Zealand in order to compare the manufacturing management practices and performance of the better performing sites in each country. New Zealands manufacturers came out ahead on most dimensions, particularly the management of people, leadership and quality management factors, whereas in these factors Australia's lack of labour market flexibility was found to be a barrier to progr..