The operational priorities in the management of production : a difficult compromise or the situation of being complementary to one another

Competitive priorities of low cost, quality, delivery, and flexibility, are a key strategic choice in the process of designing an effective operations strategy. They guide operations managers in developing manufacturing capabilities that enhance the firm's competitive position in the marketplace. In this study, we review both theoretical and empirical literature on competitive priorities. In particular, we discuss the available models of choice for competitive priorities: the trade-off model, the cumulative model, and the integrative approach. We identify critical questions that can guide the future research on operations strategies followed by Polish manufacturing firms.