 Knowledge transfer through the supply system: does modularity make it easier?Thaise Graziadio, Mauro Zilbovicius International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management, 2003, vol. 3, issue 1/2, 47-60 Abstract: The study compares the supply systems in two plants of a single car assembler: one is modular and the other is conventional, both producing subcompact cars. The modular plant has the highest level of outsourcing. Modular supply demands more interaction between assembler and systemist (also called module supplier) whenever the logic of outsourcing is present. As long as the assembler transfers more responsibilities for design, purchasing and production to the systemists, the flow of information has to be very efficient. The volume and intensity of knowledge transferred from assembler to systemist also depends on the systemist role: a full integrator assumes design and manufacturing, sharing engineering expertise with the assembler; a manufacturer just makes the pre-assembly. No evidence of outsourcing and modularity was found in the lower tiers and therefore it is improbable that the modular system becomes a favorable environment for them to increase knowledge and expertise. Keywords: modularity; outsourcing; modular production; supply chain; automotive industry; modular strategy: knowledge transfer. (search for similar items in EconPapers) Downloads: (external link) Related works: Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ids:ijatma:v:3:y:2003:i:1/2:p:47-60 Access Statistics for this article More articles in International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management from Inderscience Enterprises Ltd |
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