Modularization in the Auto Industry: Interlinked Multiple Hierarchies of Product, Production, and Supplier Systems

Akira Takeishi and Takahiro Fujimoto
Additional contact information
Akira Takeishi: Institute of Innovation Research, Hitotsubashi University
Takahiro Fujimoto: Faculty of Economics, Universtiy of Tokyo

No CIRJE-F-107, CIRJE F-Series from CIRJE, Faculty of Economics, University of Tokyo

Abstract: This paper analyzes the modularization in the world auto industry. The modularization in the industry has involved architectural changes in product, production, and supplier systems with each region (Japan, Europe and the U.S.A.) emphasizing different purposes and aspects. As an attempt to understand such multi-faceted, complex processes coherently, this paper proposes a conceptual framework that sees development / production activities as interlinked, multiple hierarchies of products, processes, and inter-firm boundaries. With this framework, drawing on case studies and questionnaire survey data, the paper examines the on-going processes of modularization in the industry. It is argued that tensions exist among the three hierarchies, and such tensions may lead to further changes in product, production and supplier-system architectures in the auto industry, in a dynamic and path-dependent manner.

Pages: 25 pages
Date: 2001-03
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (25)

Downloads: (external link)
http://www.cirje.e.u-tokyo.ac.jp/research/dp/2001/2001cf107.pdf (application/pdf)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:tky:fseres:2001cf107

Access Statistics for this paper

More papers in CIRJE F-Series from CIRJE, Faculty of Economics, University of Tokyo Contact information at EDIRC.
Bibliographic data for series maintained by CIRJE administrative office ().