The operations strategies adopted by six engine assemblers between 2005 and 2006 in Brazil were identified and analyzed. Three of them started their operations some decades ago and were, therefore, denominated "established firms". The other three have started their operations only after the 1990s and were denominated "entrant firms". Information on the adopted strategies was gathered through interviews with at least one of the main managers in each engine assembly plant investigated. We observed that the adopted operations strategies are different in terms of inter and intra groups of those plants. The distinct characteristics of operations strategies are mainly due to differences in structural decision areas although the competitive strategies in each group have some common traces.
Operations strategies; Competitive priorities; Engine assemblers
