The DNA of Swiss Manufacturing: Sustaining Switzerland’s Manufacturing Prowess

This research project aims to uncover the DNA of the Swiss manufacturing industry: the unique blend of skills, routines, and individual competencies that make Swiss companies successful. By understanding these hidden strengths, we want to help companies remain competitive and support policymakers in securing the future of the industry.

At the start of the research, our main goal is to find out what distinguishes the Swiss manufacturing industry. We want to understand

• how companies build and maintain their strengths,
• how individual decisions influence company performance, and
• how these findings can be incorporated into national policy.

We also plan to link behavior at the company level to overall economic results. We will deliver three key findings in collaboration with the Chair of Production and Operations Management at ETH Zurich and the Swiss Institute for International Economics at the University of St. Gallen. Upon completion of the study, we expect to have

• a detailed understanding of the microeconomic drivers of competitiveness,
• a framework for supporting the manufacturing sector through policy measures, and
• a basis for future research on adapting these strengths to global changes.

The manufacturing industry is an important pillar of the Swiss economy and contributes to jobs, exports, and innovation. From a scientific perspective, this project promotes understanding of the manufacturing industry.

Funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation