Antecedents and outcomes of modular production in the Brazilian automobile industry: a grounded theory approach

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Kotabe, Masaaki; Parente, Ronaldo; Murray, Janet Y.
• 署名单位: Pennsylvania Commonwealth System of Higher Education (PCSHE); Temple University; University of Missouri System; University of Missouri Saint Louis; Rutgers University System; Rutgers University New Brunswick; Rutgers University Camden
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS STUDIES
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0047-2506
• DOI: 10.1057/palgrave.jibs.8400244
• 发表日期: 2007
• 页码: 84-106
• 关键词: Outsourcing; modularization; modular production; tacit knowledge; Supply chain management; global sourcing

摘要

Our paper focuses on how foreign automobile manufacturers in Brazil have implemented and benefited from strategic modularization. Based on our case studies and in-depth interviews, we developed a theoretical framework to examine the antecedents and outcomes of strategic modularization. Our theoretical framework suggests that strategic modularization may help improve a firm's positional advantage by reducing the cost of managing tacit knowledge. In addition, the adoption of strategic modularization influences the nature of relationships with major suppliers, further blurring the boundaries of the firm.