The preceding process of globalization and the continuously rising competitive pressure on manufacturing companies in more developed economies unveiled the limits of classical site-focused optimization approaches. The focus of network optimization shifts ever more towards an integrative view of manufacturing networks, striving for a harmonization of the strategy-, configuration- and coordination levels. This book presents such an integrative approach to the strategic management of manufacturing networks. Besides strategic network requirements, this book discusses the derivation of an optimal global footprint and the optimization of network coordination activities. Special attention is paid to the site roles concept, especially to the concept of 'lead factory'. A large number of up-to-date cases from the producing industry enrich the book and provide the reader with vivid examples for the application of the presented concepts. Hence, this book is a must-read for both practitioners and academic researchers.

From the book reviews:

"The authors' aim is to explore strategic management challenges around global manufacturing networks. ? In terms of content and structure, the book follows a logical progression from theory to application, with plenty of examples thrown in. ? it all comes together nicely, making the book both a pleasant and informative read. ? an excellent source for key concepts and their application and the numerous and detailed industry examples are both illustrative and enjoyable to read." (Jannis Angelis, Production Planning & Control, October, 2014)