Size as a contingency factor – exploring the effect of size on the use and performance impact of manufacturing practices

The purpose of this paper is to explore how size influences the use and performance impact of internal manufacturing practices. A detailed review of the literature indicates that size, as a fundamental contingency factor, is inconsistently operationalized by researchers, and mixed findings are reported on its impact on practices and performance. Testing the influence of different approaches to the operationalization of size, our analysis reveals that size has no direct impact on performance, but has a significant influence on the use of practices. The moderating effect on the relationship between practices and performance is not supported