Only few companies have developed Internet-based integration of manufacturing and ERP-systems. Full-scale “virtual factory”-relationships seem most advanced between “fabless” OEMs and CMs (see Table 1). Cisco´s manufacturing organization can be considered a leading-edge model. The assembly of Cisco routers, switches etc. is integrated into an order and resource planning system which is entirely based [...]

With regard to the production process, the profound changes in the intra-sectoral division of labour are characterized by the following “stylized facts”:

(1)   The once tightly integrated value chain has become commodified, i.e. most IT-products are complex commodities, assembled from traded parts and components supplied by various industry segments. The control of the time-cycle of new [...]

Contract Manufacturing is one of the fastest growing segments in the IT-industry. Growth rates have been averaging 20-25 per cent per year during the 1990s, the current recession in the IT-industry has interrupted the growth but most likely not ended it. According to industry consultants Technology Forecasters, the global market volume in the year 2000 [...]