From concept to capacity: Aligning product design, process selection and facility layout through operations strategy and emerging technologies

This literature review examines the alignment of product design, process selection, and facility layout within the framework of operations strategy, emphasizing the role of emerging technologies in enhancing organizational capacity. Drawing from international, national (Philippines), and regional (Mindanao) studies, the paper highlights how firms transition from conceptual product development to operational execution. Findings reveal that strategic alignment significantly improves productivity, flexibility, and competitiveness, while emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, automation, and digital systems act as key enablers. However, in developing contexts like the Philippines, structural constraints among micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are particularly limiting full integration. Existing literature also shows a persistent gap between globally recognized operations strategies and the realities faced by Philippine and Mindanao-based enterprises, where limited infrastructure, restricted technological access, and weak institutional support hinder operational alignment. This review is significant because it contextualizes operations strategy within Mindanao and Philippine MSMEs, emphasizing the need for localized and adaptive approaches that can improve competitiveness and sustainable growth.