Assessing Small and Medium Manufacturing Enterprises: A Taxonomy Based Approach

Walden, C., & Greenwood, A. (2009). Assessing Small and Medium Manufacturing Enterprises: A Taxonomy Based Approach. 2009 ASEM Conference Proceedings. Springfield, MO: American Society for Engineering Management.

Abstract

Abstract. One of the major barriers facing small and medium size manufacturing enterprises (SME) is lack of access to obtaining “high quality and unbiased advice.” This paper presents a broad overview of the Taxonomy Based Assessment Methodology (TBAM), which was developed to provide a rapid, unbiased, and enterprise-wide assessment of small and medium size manufacturing firms. The purpose of TBAM is to determine a set of recommendations which target improved performance. This methodology combines two taxonomies – one of manufacturing enterprise characteristics and the other of best practices – for use in a three-stage assessment rubric (evaluation, diagnosis, and prescription). The overall methodology and some of the theoretical foundation for this approach are described, along with a discussion of the feedback resulting from several field applications of TBAM.