A method for estimating the influence of advanced manufacturing tools on the manufacturing competitiveness of Maquiladoras in the apparel industry in Central America

Globalization has fostered the development of a laborintensive, export-oriented assembly industry known in Latin America as Maquiladora Industry, which is one of the most important industrial sectors in Central America and the Caribbean. The use of advanced manufacturing tools (AMTs) in their manufacturing operations can help to improve their performance and competitiveness. This paper proposes a method that uses correlation analysis and structural equation modelling for identifying the influence that AMTs have on the manufacturing competitiveness of Maquiladoras in Central America. An empirical test using this method in Maquiladoras in the apparel industry in Honduras shows a positive effect between AMTs use and manufacturing competitiveness, especially in the delivery time and environmental protection factors.