Something for nothing? A comparison of practice and performance in vulnerable and promising companies

A recent empirical study of over 300 manufacturing organisations in the North East of England supports the findings of previous studies by Hanson et al. and has identified fewer “promising” and an even greater proportion of “vulnerable” companies. This paper reports on this new study and identifies significant statistical differences in a number of practices and performance areas. The paper attempts to answer a number of important questions such as, do vulnerable companies really get "something for nothing”? The findings are discussed along with future agendas for change in such organisations.