Carr, Christopher (1985) The competitiveness of UK vehicle component manufacturers. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

This dissertation presents the results of using a
multidisciplinary "business policy" approach to examine the
competitive situation of UK vehicle component manufacturers.
With the cooperation of the companies involved in six
product sectors, detailed studies have been made comparing
the strategies and performances of UK competitors over
several years, as well as those of selected competitors in
Japan, Germany and the USA.
The UK vehicle component industry has undergone an
unprecedented decline in performance.
The causes of this decline are many. External factors
outside the control of the companies concerned include the
declining competitiveness of UK based vehicle manufacturers
and the exceptionally unfavourable UK business environment
including the pressure on real wages.
But the decline in competitiveness of UK vehicle
component manufacturers is not solely due to these factors
outside their own control. Just as important is the lack of
strategic management capability at the top management level
of the companies themselves. Before the recession many of
the companies failed to see the changes that were occurring
in the pattern of competition and that their competitive
position was slipping. Few recognised that competition was
becoming more European or even more global. Even fewer were
able to effectively analyse the situation, select a viable
long term strategy and pursue it with commitment. Such a
strategy required a choice of the part of the market in
which to compete as well as how to compete particularly as
far as longer term production strategy (productivity,
quality, flexible manufacturing systems etc) was concerned.
The recession only added to this problem and obscured
the underlying cause. Many companies were forced to
retrench but still have not recognised the longer term
strategic issues which must be addressed if the long term
decline is to be reversed.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Automobile supplies industry -- Great Britain -- Case studies, Competition -- Great Britain -- Case studies, Strategic planning -- Great Britain -- Case studies
Official Date:	September 1985
Dates:	Date Event September 1985 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	School of Industrial and Business Studies
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Houlden, Brian
Extent:	[6], 415 leaves
Language:	eng

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