Manufacturing – Still a missing link?

This paper introduces the special issue on “Implementing Operations Strategy for Competitive Advantage.” We initiated the call for papers for this special issue with this question: “How do we identify, promote, and implement transformational initiatives that put into place operational capabilities that provide new sources of firm-level competitive advantage?” Collectively, these papers provide insight into how important operations can be to a company's success, while also reinforcing how important it is for operations to be integrated with other functions, internally, to achieve that success, as well as externally with suppliers. Before introducing the papers included in the forum, the authors provide thoughts on operations strategy research, drawing from the past and looking forward.