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Design chain management : inter-organisational coordination of product development in the UK automotive industry
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Twigg, David (1995) Design chain management : inter-organisational coordination of product development in the UK automotive industry. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.
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Official URL: http://webcat.warwick.ac.uk/record=b1404005~S1
Abstract
This thesis examines the inter-firm management of product development between a
vehicle manufacturer and six component suppliers actively participating in the design and
development process. It introduces the notion of design chain management, in a similar
way to the supply chain concept has been used to describe logistics and purchasing
relationships. This concept enables the product development process to be considered at
the inter-firm level between supplier and vehicle manufacturer.
Specifically, the research investigates: the nature of the inter-firm design process; the
changing requirements of the inter-firm relationship; and the mechanisms that promote
inter-firm design transactions. There is an extensive literature review, integrating related
themes in product development; coordination mechanisms; inter-firm relationships;
information processing; and supplier involvement. This review develops the key
components for managing design at the inter-firm level, which forms the basis for an
empirical examination of one UK vehicle manufacturer and six of its component
suppliers. The empirical part consists of in-depth analyses of the design management
process within each case study, and across the buyer-supplier relationship.
The research presents a classification of suppliers involved in product development based
on their relative responsibility for design, and the position each enters the product
development process. The thesis concludes that the core suppliers involved in early
exchanges of design information require more attention to long-term structural
mechanisms, such as supplier development initiatives, than to the use of CAD/CAM or
ED!. In particular, suppliers are investing in placing their own staff permanently within
their customer premises, in the form of guest (resident) engineers, and this is an area in
need of further research. In addition, there is a need for post-project reviews at both the
vehicle programme level and the individual system and component level. As project
management is devolved to the supply base, the ability to project manage both internally
and externally will determine those firms able to compete effectively in the market place.
Item Type: | Thesis (PhD) | ||||
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Subjects: | H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor | ||||
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): | Product design, Industrial procurement, Motor vehicle industry -- Great Britain -- Case studies | ||||
Official Date: | September 1995 | ||||
Dates: |
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Institution: | University of Warwick | ||||
Theses Department: | Warwick Business School | ||||
Thesis Type: | PhD | ||||
Publication Status: | Unpublished | ||||
Supervisor(s)/Advisor: | Slack, Nigel | ||||
Sponsors: | Economic and Social Research Council (Great Britain) (ESRC) (R00429134281) | ||||
Extent: | xvi, 367, [9] leaves | ||||
Language: | eng |
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