Paradigms of manufacturing strategy re‐visited

Purpose Seeks to provide observations on a paper published in 1995. Design/methodology/approach The approach is a review and observations about the 1987 work. Findings In the 1995 paper, “Alternative paradigms for manufacturing strategy”, the history of the development of manufacturing strategy was reviewed and it was concluded that three paradigms had emerged: competing through manufacturing; strategic choices in manufacturing, and best practice. Looking back on this work these three paradigms are remarkably robust. However, there has been considerable development in the intervening years both intellectually and in practice that needs to be considered when reviewing this paper. Originality/value Shows that the three paradigms have remained robust, but there has been considerable development in practice and theory that both broadens the content and informs the nature of each paradigm.