Network Capability Configurations as a Catalyst for Competitive Advantage

Abstract

Historically, manufacturing companies supplied world markets out of their home countries. Today, most of them rely on a network of globally spread plants. The benefits a network provides are summarized under the term network capabilities. It remains open, how a well-designed network can compensate the lack in competitive advantage in, e. g., quality or flexibility. This article sheds light on which configurations of network capabilities are worthwhile investing into under defined contingencies.