STIP | Science, Technology and Innovation Policy |

www.stip.gatech.edu
A collaborative program of the Georgia Tech School of Public Policy and the Georgia Tech Enterprise Innovation Institute
The Georgia Manufacturing Survey 2008
The Georgia Manufacturing Survey (GMS) is a statewide study conducted every two to three years by Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute and the Georgia Tech School of Public Policy to assess the business and technological conditions of Georgia’s manufacturers. | More about GMS and Innovation Surveys
 
Innovation and Sustainability: Highlights from the 2008 Georgia Manufacturing Survey
The Georgia Manufacturing Survey is a periodic statewide study conducted by Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute and School of Public Policy to assess the business and technological conditions of Georgia’s manufacturers. Survey results are used to improve manufacturing assistance programs and regional innovation initiatives in Georgia. In 2008, surveys were sent to more than 4,000 manufacturers with 10 or more employees, completed surveys from 804 manufacturers were received, and surveys from 738 manufacturers with 10 or more employees form the basis for reported results. | PDF Downloads: Full Report | Executive Summary | Enabling Manufacturers to Compete [2MB] |

The top concerns of manufacturers in 2008 are:

  • sales and marketing
  • process improvement
  • technical skills
  • energy efficiency

Compared to the 2005 survey, the greatest increases among concerns were in sales and marketing and energy efficiency.

75% of Georgia manufacturers are improving the sustainability of their processes. Sustainability improvements are most prevalent in front-end production areas such as process design, supplier selection and raw material selection. Sustainability practices are least common in marketing, such as “green” branding or “eco” labeling. (See chart below.)
Only one in five Georgia manufacturers has an environmental stewardship program, that is, managing operations to protect natural resources. Only 18% of respondents have set targets for reducing their facilities’ energy use.

20% of Georgia manufacturers compete in the marketplace by offering low prices compared to fewer than 10% that compete through innovation or new technology. Profits grew generally between 2005 and 2008, but they grew much more for manufacturers competing mainly through innovation versus low price. (See chart below.)
15% of manufacturers were adversely impacted by outsourcing (work transferred from a Georgia facility) in 2008, similar to 2005 survey levels, and 12% of manufacturers benefitted from in-sourcing (work transferred to a Georgia facility).

Product and process innovators experienced higher productivity growth (change in value-added per employee) than non-innovators from 2005 to 2007.

Only 5% reported using tax credits, loans/grants or other financial support for innovation even though 45% of respondents said that lack of funds was a limitation on their ability to innovate.

70% introduced some type of new or technologically improved product or process in 2008.

In 2008, the Georgia Manufacturing Survey also undertook special studies of the pulp and paper sector in Georgia [select link to view]
 
Contact Jan Youtie at jan.youtie@innovate.gatech.edu for more information. Sponsors: Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute; School of Public Policy; Center for Paper, Business and Industry Studies; Georgia Department of Labor; Georgia QuickStart; and Habif, Arogeti, and Wynne, LLC
 
GMS Home Page | STIP Home Page
All the GMS Survey Reports:  2008 | 2005 | 2002 | 1999 | 1996 | 1994 (summary) | Administration

Updated: 12/23/2008