International manufacturing: An analysis on factory level on the centre-periphery relations

Abstract

This article deals with the position of industries in the western countries in their relation to the industrial capacities of the periphery countries, especially the newly industrializing countries. The weaknessess and strengths of manufacturing g systems in periphery countries are discussed, and conclusions are drawn concerning the selection and design of manufacturing systems in these countries and their international competitiveness. Furthermore, an international productionallocation model is presented, Mlhich determines the optimum location of manufacturing systems of internationally tradeable products and analyzes the sensitivity to competition from the periphery countries of the different industries in the centre countries. Finally, thefiltureposition of a number of industries in the centre countries is considered in relation to the periphery countries.