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In this paper, we present a bi-objective mixed-integer linear programming (BOMILP) model for planning an inspection process used to detect nonconforming products and malfunctioning processors in a multi-stage serial production system. The model involves two inter-related decisions: (1) which quality characteristics need what kind of inspections (i.e. which-what decision) and (2) when the inspection of these characteristics should be performed (i.e. when decision). These decisions require a trade-off between the cost of manufacturing (i.e. production, inspection and scrap costs) and the customer satisfaction. Due to inevitable variations in manufacturing systems, a global robust BOMILP (RBOMILP) is developed to tackle the inherent uncertainty of the concerned parameters (i.e. production and inspection times, errors type I and II, misadjustment and dispersion of the process). In order to optimally solve the presented RBOMILP model, a meta-heuristic algorithm, namely differential evolution (DE) algorithm, is combined with the Taguchi and Monte Carlo methods. The proposed model and solution algorithm are validated through a real industrial case from a leading automotive industry in France. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to define a robust estimation model of the most dominant labour productivity measurement, Hours per Vehicle (HPV), in the auto industry. Data utilised in this study were from 10 different multinational North American carmakers from 1999 to 2007. Through a comprehensive literature review and practical consideration, 13 important variables that affect HPV were defined and developed. Several robust and advanced statistical methods were utilised to determine the best possible HPV regression equations. The MM estimator, multiple M-estimator, was defined as the best method to perform the data analysis and to derive the robust regression model to estimate HPV. Depending on the car class, the vehicle variety, model types, annual working days, car assembly utilisation and launching a new model penalise HPV; however, annual production volume, flexible manufacturing and year of production improve HPV. Moreover, Japanese plants are the benchmark regarding HPV followed by joint ventures, and American plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What happens when firms in an oligopolistic industry find themselves lagging behind in a potentially dominant technology? If R&D costs are significant and catch-up is key, technology laggards must turn to each other and open up their innovation processes in order to survive. This article uses a real options framework to explain the motives of bitter rivals to engage in collaborative relationships in order to catch up with industry leaders in specific technologies. It shows that ex ante, their interests converge and this lays the foundation of “catch-up alliances”: competitors open up to catch up. However, they often bring vastly different resources to the alliance and, in the process of cooperation, what they learn may cause their interests to diverge. Furthermore, some participants may discount a technology trajectory on the basis of what they learn, and terminate efforts in that area. Therefore, the “road not taken” may be a valuable outcome of the open innovation alliance. This article uses the case of a global alliance in hybrid electric drivetrain automotive technology as the study context, and it analyzes the implications for managers facing similar decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this study is to identify the most significant determinants of capital structure of original equipment manufacturers from Indian Automobile Industry which are listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange for the period 2003-04 to 2016-17. To achieve the objectives of the study, hypotheses were formulated on the basis of review of various theories of capital structure viz. Pecking Order Theory, Static Trade-off Theory, etc. and empirical evidences on the subject. Descriptive statistics, analysis of correlation, and panel data regression including regression diagnostics have been used as statistical tools to identify the most significant determinants of capital structure of the sample companies. STATA software was used for the analysis of the data used in the present study. The results of the analysis carried out in the study revealed that the most significant determinants of capital structure of the sample companies during the selected time period were profitability of company, size of company, liquidity position of company, tangibility of assets, and operating cash flow, while non-debt tax shield, and effective tax rate did not show any significant relationship with the capital structure of the companies under consideration during the period of study. The study also observed evidences in support of Pecking Order Theory, and Free Cash Flow Theory, but no evidences were found in support of Static Trade-off Theory. This study provides useful insight pertaining to the financing behaviour of automobile manufacturing companies in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dimensional quality of auto-body relates to the whole external appearance, wind noise, the effect of closing the door and even driving smoothness of vehicles. The assembly dimensional quality can be improved by optimising assembly operations between parts and reasonable allocating tolerances of components. A multi-attribute directed liaison graph is proposed to describe precedence relationships and key control characteristics (KCCs) to eliminate unfeasible assembly sequences. A hybrid particle swarm optimisation and genetic algorithm is presented to optimise assembly operations for selecting the best assembly sequence. Based on the above, tolerances of the optimal KCCs are designed by using NSGA-II algorithm according to assembly tolerances and manufacturing costs. To improve optimisation effectiveness, the initial population uses the orthogonal experimental design and sensitivity coefficients of KCCs to generate chromosomes. Finally, the work applied the method by illustrating the process of assembly sequence optimisation and tolerance allocation, and the results show that this case verified the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The paper describes variance amplification of orders in a car manufacturing context. Demand fluctuation in inter-company supply chains has been well described in literature over many years. The specific contribution of this paper is to examine the cyclical boom-and-bust behaviour, commonly known as the bullwhip effect, inside the plant boundaries of a single company with the help of system dynamics modelling. To gain insight into this phenomenon we will first perform an extensive literature review on the subject of factory relevant internal bullwhip. Based on these results we illustrate through a real-life car assembly operation the existence of internal bullwhip. Finally we conclude with a discussion of our results and future research opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper advances a methodological framework for analysing the process of technological diversification in the automotive industry and presents a multicriteria procedure, based on the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), to evaluate, in a simple and user-friendly manner, the suitability of technological diversification for any company in the automotive sector. The AHP-multicriteria procedure associated with the initial stage of the methodology and the decision support systems developed to evaluate suitability have been applied to 22 Spanish automotive companies. The multicriteria procedure classifies the companies into three different groups: (i) those that are suitable for diversification; (ii) those for which product development (innovation) or market development (internationalisation) is more appropriate; (iii) those that are not suitable for any diversification process. The true value added in this initial stage of the technological diversification process is not, despite its importance, the final classification of the firms, but the learning procedure derived from the multicriteria analysis and the evaluation of diversification suitability. From this learning procedure, a set of recommendations related to the diversification of the automotive companies is extracted. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Grounded in agency theory, this study examines how franchisors' ex ante contracts and extracontractual incentives influence their ex post monitoring and enforcement efforts and how combinations of the ex post governance mechanisms drive franchisee behavior. Integrating three archival data sources and a survey of 206 franchisees across eight automotive brands, the authors find that franchisor reliance on contractual completeness appears to result in reduced ex post behavior monitoring and enforcement efforts, while contractual one-sidedness is associated with higher levels of behavior monitoring but reduced enforcement. Extracontractual incentives, when offered to the franchisee, are associated with increases in monitoring and enforcement. In isolation, franchisor monitoring and enforcement efforts are ineffective in eliciting desired franchisee behaviors. However, different combinations of franchisor monitoring and enforcement efforts affect franchisee compliance and opportunism, sometimes with counterproductive results. The study provides an initial baseline of understanding on how ex ante governance characteristics and combinations of ex post governance mechanisms function to facilitate or deter franchisee compliance and opportunism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reverse logistics has become more and more important to the automobile industry, owing to various reasons including unavoidable product recalls, legislative policy regarding environmental and sustainable issues, etc. In fact, the need for recovery of returned vehicles has been receiving more attention than ever before due to growing environmental concerns. Ironically, not many automobile manufacturers have a satisfactory reverse logistics system for recovering and reusing returned vehicles. This is partly because the effort devoted to this area is not very systematically investigated. In this connection, this paper aims at investigating the reverse logistics activities of the automobile industry, and to provide a framework for those activities. Firstly, the drivers for reverse logistics in this industry are revisited. Key components which are valuable and feasible for reuse or remanufacture are then identified. Based on this investigation, a framework of reverse logistics for the automobile industry is proposed. This is based on several evaluation factors (i.e. value of reversed products, legislation perspective and cost issues). Implementation issues and managerial implications are also summarised. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Throughput analysis is important for the design, operation and management of production systems. A substantial amount of research has been devoted to developing analytical methods to estimate the throughput of production systems with unreliable machines and finite buffers. In this paper we summarise the recent studies in this area. In addition to the performance evaluation of serial lines, approximation methods for more complex systems, such as assembly/disassembly systems, parallel lines, split and merge, closed-loop systems, etc., are discussed. Moreover, we propose future research topics from the automotive manufacturing systems perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In contrast to previous literature, we propose that commitment to lean strategy should be preceded by building close relationships with key supply chain partners (suppliers and customers). Two aspects of lean strategy, lean manufacturing and lean design are studied in this paper. We hypothesize that relationship building positively affects both aspects of lean strategy, which in turn positively influences firm performance. To test these relationships, we use data from the top 150 auto suppliers to the 'Big Three' original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The results show positive relationships between (1) relationship building and lean design, (2) relationship building and lean manufacturing, and (3) lean design and firm performance. This suggests that relationship building is more valuable for enhancing the 'product' aspects of lean strategy as opposed to the 'process' aspects of lean strategy. Process aspects of lean strategy appear to be largely a function of internal efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mixed-model assembly nowadays is a common practice in the automobile industry. In an automobile assembly plant, many car options often need to be considered in sequencing an assembly line, for example, the multiple sequencing objectives that consider a pattern, blocking, spacing, and smoothing of options. A general heuristic procedure is developed in this paper for sequencing automobile assembly lines considering multiple options. The procedure obtains an initial sequence by an enhanced constructive procedure, swaps orders for the most deteriorating category of objectives, and performs re-sequencing attempting to improve the swapped sequence. The heuristic procedure was shown to frequently improve the initial sequences by swapping and re-sequencing when swapping opportunities exist. A further improvement step is also proposed to perform a limited search based on the swapped solution. The limited-search improvement step was shown to be effective in further improving solutions from the heuristic procedure in the computational experimentation. Solutions from the heuristic procedure in conjunction with the limited-search improvement step were compared to those from the simulated annealing procedure for large-size problems and showed relatively positive results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors study trade promotions for durable goods, such as automobiles, for which manufacturers provide special incentives to dealers for exceeding specific sales targets. They develop a theoretical model of consumer, retailer, and manufacturer behavior based on observations about key aspects of the automobile market. The analysis provides important insights about the intertemporal effects of trade promotions and the effect of product durability on the promotion strategies of manufacturers. For example, manufacturers of more durable products benefit more from running trade promotions and give deeper discounts. The authors find empirical support when they test the theoretical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design, manufacture and delivery of a product require even-higher levels of expertise and resource. Companies are finding that better internal and external communications can help leverage these resources to better effect; hence, there are initiatives such as simultaneous engineering, knowledge management and team working. These are being supported by ever-increasing expenditure on Information Technology (IT) infrastructures, such as Intranets, Extranets and Enterprise Resource Management systems such as SAP-R3. Virtual Teamworking has been suggested as a new solution, and is the use of IT to support multidisciplinary teamwork between experts separated by distance and time. This paper describes current collaborative practices in the automotive supply chain, and identifies some crucial issues that need to be addressed for successful implementation of virtual teams. Based on these issues identified from a literature survey and from practical trials and observations, an outline methodology for implementing effective virtual teams and managing them successfully is described. Behind the scenes of public declarations of success in adoption lies a struggle to realize significant benefits. Virtual teaming, to implement concurrent engineering, is not specifically addressed in the published literature. This paper focuses on this and uses data and observations from real teams doing real concurrent engineering work in the automotive industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Gestao & Producao is the property of Gestao & Producao and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The methodology of criticality assessment is used ever more frequently for the assessment of a system´s resource supply. At present, there are various approaches which differ in the selection of criteria as well as the applied aggregation methods. Mostly, two dimensions are used to assess criticality: “risk or likelihood of supply interruption” and “vulnerability to supply shortages”. However, there is no consensus about the criteria which are used to assess these dimensions. Furthermore, the terms “risk” and “vulnerability” are sometimes used in ways contradicting their general understanding and use in science. This paper presents a further methodological refinement to achieve a more consistent concept of assessing resources. In the presented methodology, vulnerability is determined as a function of sensitivity, exposure and adaptive capacity. It facilitates a clear distinction and allocation of criteria at various organizational levels in order to enable a better interpretation of the results. The presented methodology of vulnerability assessment is exemplarily applied to the automobile industry. So far, no criticality or similar assessment have been conducted for this industry. As a result, of 27 examined metals especially Rh (contained in autocatalysts), Dy, Nd, Tb and Pr (contained in electric motors of electric vehicles) and Eu (contained in emerging LED applications) were identified as the most vulnerable metals of automobile industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past few years, a growing concern has been noticed among society, government and non-government organisations for conserving the environment and adopting Sustainable Supply Chain management (SSCM) practices. However, it is not simple for industries to develop sustainability in their business operations and activities especially in emerging economies. In this sense, the purpose of present research is to recognise and analyse various strategies to implement SSCM practices in Indian context. Present research has recognized nine key strategies. Due to qualitative nature of research, Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM) methodology integrated with fuzzy MICMAC analysis to further refine the hidden relationship between strategies has been attempted. The identified SSCM strategies have been categorized based on their dependence and driving power. ISM methodology offers merely binary relationship among strategies, whereas fuzzy MICMAC analysis gives accurate investigation related to dependence and driving power of strategies. Findings reveals that ‘Management involvement, support and commitment’; ‘Understanding of the sustainability impacts of their supply chain’ and ‘Establishing a vision and objectives for supply chain sustainability’ are the strategies with the topmost independence powers. The developed model will help in uncovering the interaction and dependence among the identified strategies in implementation of SSCM practices from industrial viewpoint. The inputs of experts from academia and Indian automotive manufacturing firms have been used in this research. The present work will facilitate automotive and related firms in prioritisation of strategies and managing resources in a most sustainable way in an emerging economy context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies a location-routing-inventory problem in a multi-period closed-loop supply chain with multiple suppliers, producers, distribution centers, customers, collection centers, recovery, and recycling centers. In this supply chain, centers are multiple levels, a price increase factor is considered for operational costs at centers, inventory and shortage (including lost sales and backlog) are allowed at production centers, arrival time of vehicles of each plant to its dedicated distribution centers and also departure from them are considered, in such a way that the sum of system costs and the sum of maximum time at each level should be minimized. The aforementioned problem is formulated in the form of a bi-objective nonlinear integer programming model. Due to the NP-hard nature of the problem, two meta-heuristics, namely, non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) and multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO), are used in large sizes. In addition, a Taguchi method is used to set the parameters of these algorithms to enhance their performance. To evaluate the efficiency of the proposed algorithms, the results for small-sized problems are compared with the results of the ε-constraint method. Finally, four measuring metrics, namely, the number of Pareto solutions, mean ideal distance, spacing metric, and quality metric, are used to compare NSGA-II and MOPSO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Much is happening in the automotive industry and new models are in the market or are expected to be available soon. At the same time, environmental awareness, new regulations for increased fuel efficiency, and the need to diminish greenhouse gas emissions make small vehicles and alternative fuel vehicles more competitive. As a consequence, vehicle characteristics and consumer decisions will change rapidly in the short and medium run. Accounting for the dynamic of the problem is important to correctly forecast green vehicle acceptance and to evaluate eco-friendly policies. This paper proposes a generalized dynamic discrete choice approach that models purchase behavior and forecasts future preferences in a finite time horizon setting. The framework allows one-time purchases, repeated purchases, univariate and multivariate diffusion processes that capture the evolution of vehicle characteristics and dynamics in the market conditions. The models proposed are estimated using stated preference data collected in Maryland. Results show that the formulation with repeated purchases successfully captures changes in the market shares, and that the multivariate diffusion process adopted to model the evolution of fuel prices further improves both model fit and the ability to recover peaks in demand. The estimated coefficients have been applied to test different policy scenarios, including changes in fuel prices, vehicle purchase prices, and improvements of car characteristics. These policies have a high impact on the adoption of electric cars and on their diffusion in the marketplace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Poly(benzidine-co-o-phenylenediamine)/bentonite composites were fabricated utilizing several bentonite percentages by a facile oxidative copolymerization. The composites were clarified by means of FT-IR and UV-Vis absorption spectra of both poly(benzidine-co-o-phenylenediamine) emeraldine base, and poly(benzidine-co-o-phenylenediamine)/bentonite composite. The conjunction of o-phenylenediamine monomer with polybenzidine skeleton in the existence of bentonite was proven. TGA analyses under non-oxidative condition were studied. Moreover, at different magnifications, SEM of bentonite composite was examined having micrometric particle sizes in the range of 0.24-0.80 μm. A comparison of XRD patterns of the synthesized polymer and composite was discussed.Graphical Abstract: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Article deals with system improvement of already existing processes in field of informative logistics in logistics department of company acting in automobile industry. It is focused to analyzing methods of logistic systems, also specific processes are being analyzed before system improvement. Then, in one output table are shown all failings of analyzed processes and proposals for their improvement in form of system support. Next section deals with actual proposals of system support for specific failings of analyzed processes. At the end, results of aplicated proposals of system support for improvement of specific processes will be evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oppositional brand loyalty is a psychological phenomenon observed among members of a brand community who hold negative and opposing views about rival brands, and even exhibit antagonistic behaviors towards those brands. The research of oppositional brand loyalty is in its infancy and requires deeper investigation. This study employs social identity theory and consumer-brand relationship as a theoretical framework to verify the formation process of oppositional brand loyalty. Using a sample of online automobile communities in Taiwan, we collected 232 valid samples and analyzed the data using structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques. The results indicate that members who identify with their online brand community develop brand commitment and self-brand connection, which lead to oppositional brand loyalty. Furthermore, brand commitment partially mediated and self-brand connection fully mediated the relationship between brand community identification and oppositional brand loyalty. Based on these findings, theoretical and practical implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Engineers in automotive industrie are trying to provide the same level of quality and durability with more economic materials. In this study, the use of an alternative material was investigated for a crown wheel and pinion design used in differential gear systems of light commercial vehicles. Changing gear set material manufactured with both current and proposed material was a cost reduction step by keeping same manufacturing processes. Hardenability characteristics of the gear sets were compared. Accelerated fatigue tests were performed in rig test set up with dynamometer and gear sets manufactured with proposed materials were assembled to light commercial vehicles and durability tests were performed on real road conditions. It was seen that hardenability characteristics of current and proposed materials are so close. Gear sets manufactured with proposed material performed durability test were completed successfully. However, the differentials assembled to durability test vehicles were tear down and it was realised pinion head bearing and pinion tail bearing inner ring contact areas were damaged. Proposed materials usage will be approved after design modification and repeated durability tests. Additionally it is determined that the accelerated fatigue test results in dynamometer test rigs does not overlap with the road test results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The organizational characteristics of production in the European automotive industry have favoured a high degree of fragmentation and productive mobility. This article analyses the differing national positions of automotive producing countries and their export patterns – particularly their export reorientation to extra-European Union markets following the collapse of regional demand in the European automotive industry. Based on the methodologies of Mahutga and Piana, our position analysis arrives at two main conclusions: (i) the countries best positioned in the European regional automotive production network are precisely those that have experienced a greater increase in extra-European Union exports, thus reducing their dependence on regional European demand; (ii) the increase in extra-European Union exports (mainly of final goods) is linked to increased regional fragmentation of production in the automotive industry. We conclude that the governance of this fragmentation process is a key determinant of extra-European Union export competitiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Past research provides instructive yet incomplete answers as to how incumbent firms can address competing concerns as they embrace digital innovation. In particular, it offers only partial explanations of why different concerns emerge, how they manifest, and how firms can manage them. In response, we present a longitudinal case study of Volvo Cars’ connected car initiative. Combining extant literature with insights from the case, we argue that incumbent firms face four competing concerns—capability (existing versus requisite), focus (product versus process), collaboration (internal versus external), and governance (control versus flexibility)—and that these concerns are systemically interrelated. Firms must therefore manage these concerns cohesively by continuously balancing new opportunities and established practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of China Textile Leader is the property of China Textile Information Center and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

As important is green cars market is - or, at least, as it is thought to be -, its evolution, even more important, its expansionis an enterprise that faces many a challenge. On one side, green cars market badly needs its own specific infrastructure, which itself can be build up only at a certain cost - not in the least, determined, or boosted, by specific economic and technical limitations; on the other side, it must be underlined there is, at present, no such thing as an universally-applicable 'green technology', able to throw off all other (more pollutant) technologies. Perspectives for expansion of green cars market, and, consequently, of green cars infrastructureare to be taken advantage of, but also must be managed withpatience and common sense, due to a definite fact: both research in economically viable green technologies and green cars market (and infrastructure) grow, but grow - still - slowly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an increasingly competitive environment, each state has developed its own model of management according to its vision and culture. The management models of the great world economic powers represent for the developing countries important systems to follow and implement. The Japanese management instruments are currently between the most commonly studied and adapted. One of the most important concepts in Japanese Management is Kaizen, which means continuous improvement. Kaizen is used in all business functions and aims to eliminate waste. In this study we present the implementation of a concrete improvement in a Romanian company, which operates in automotive industry, describing in detail the taken steps to elaborate the analysis and the effects of the implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The automotive industry has been one of the recent success stories of the Moroccan economy. In fact, no one can deny the increasing importance and presence of automotive suppliers on Moroccan territory during the past six years, especially in the northern region. This industry has its own peculiarities in term of physical, informational and financial flows management. Hence, we felt the need to write a dedicated paper, focusing particularly on inventory compounds of automotive suppliers. More specifically, we found interesting to study the Work In Process stock integrity. A case study was the base for writing this article. After the presentation of some theoretical and methodological concepts, we will present the results obtained during our investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enabling early validation of extra functional properties can play an important role in the development process of reliable and safe cyber physical systems (CPS); this is particularly relevant in the automotive industry where the ever-increasing need to reduce electronic control unit (ECU) production development cost, enhance quality, and shorten the development cycle time is a crucial aspect. Building on the results of the recently ended CONCERTO project, CHESS pursues this objective by proposing a methodology and technology which fits into the well-defined AUTOSAR workflow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the determinants of total factor productivity (TFP) in the Malaysian automotive industry, focusing on the effectiveness of government policies. Our panel data analysis shows that the productivity of the automotive industry in Malaysia highly depends on the technology embodied within imports. Government policies have not contributed to the technological upgrading of the industry. The policies to protect the domestic producers from international competition and to favor bumiputra firms seem to have adverse impacts on productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to test Chandler’s dictum that “unless structure follows strategy, inefficiency results” (Chandler, 1962, p. 314) by assessing the continuing efforts to align structure with strategy in the automobile industry from the turn of the century through the 1980s.Design/methodology/approach The historical analysis utilized conceptual mediation and moderation methodologies wherein the impacts of strategy on structure were mediated by their impacts on coordination and control, and moderated by external conditions such as uncertainty, variability, interdependence and asset specificity.Findings The findings demonstrate that structure followed differing strategies at General Motors, Ford and Chrysler, and provide strong support for Chandler’s dictum. The findings demonstrate the difficulties of maintaining alignment of strategy and structure with changes in the external competitive environment, and the severe consequences of a misalignment of strategy and structure. The findings also demonstrate that structure alone is not sufficient to implement strategy effectively, and that firms must judiciously utilize both internal firm and external market coordinating and control mechanisms to optimize performance.Research limitations/implications Limitations include that this is a study of a single industry over an extended, but specific time period.Practical implications Generalization is limited by a study of a single industry, but there are numerous implications for organizational design and strategy implementation that are not industry-specific.Originality/value Chandler’s dictum is often cited, but this is one of very few studies that demonstrate the relationship between specific organizational designs and company strategies, and the consequences of misaligning strategy and structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many industries, for example automotive, have well defined product development process definitions and risk evaluation methods. The FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) is a first line risk analysis method in design, which has been implemented in development and production since decades. Although the first applications were focusing on mechanical and electrical design and functionalities, today, software components are implemented in many modern vehicle systems. However, standards or industry specific associations do not specify any 'best practice' how to design the interactions of multiple entities in one model. This case study focuses on modelling interconnections and on the improvement of the FMEA modelling process in the automotive. Selecting and grouping software components for the analysis is discussed, but software architect design patterns are excluded from the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supply chain risk management (SCRM) has become a popular topic over the past decade. It is not a surprise that the automotive industry has been a motivating arena for research within this field; however, the few existing empirical studies reveal that SCRM practices within this industry are still in their infancy. Because the identification of risks can be viewed as the trigger for SCRM, attempts to develop a risk profile for this industry that could serve as a guide to start the SCRM process are needed. This research identifies the main risks along the automotive supply chain by investigating their manifestation in three supply chains in Brazil and offers an initial risk profile for the Brazilian automotive industry. Although the importance of SCRM has been recognised by all analysed companies, the research findings underline the lack of preparedness regarding either identifying risk or considering risk-mitigation strategies and risk assessment. In this context, this study identifies the main risk in which a supply chain can be exposed, through the analysis of real-life manifested risks along different supply chains, as a way to help the supply chain start a SCRM process. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]