M.Com. (Economics and Business Science) / For years the South African economy emphasised the importance of the agricultural industry in the country. Only relatively recently it seems to have begun to acknowledge the importance of the industrial and manufacturing sectors. A part of the manufacturing sector is made up of the motor and related industries. It is the aim of this dissertation to investigate the importance of this sector by building a input-output model for this and other related industries. "The gap between elegant, but non-operational, theory and inadequately structured empirical research has always been serious in economics. Leontief's conception of input-output analysis proposed to eliminate this gap." This dissertation is firstly explores input-output analysis and the theory behind it, as developed by the Polish economist Wassily Leontief; then researches the current situation in the South African Motor Industry using facts depicted in graphs and the elaboration of these graphs. Thirdly there is a short overview of the importance of Phase VI of the local content programme, and the problems related to this programme. Finally the model itself will be built and then analysed. This dissertation does, however, only serve as an indication and does not provide final answers.

M.Com. (Economics) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

The production network of automotive industry is a case in lead firm-led. When automotive lead firms invested in less developed countries, they used to built and organize their reconfigured production networks with their "follow-source" suppliers and intermediaries according to the requirements of local government. Accordingly, a rich body of literature exists on the characteristics of temporal process and spatial organization of automotive lead firm-led reconfigured production networks because their organization is directly significant for local economic development. Additionally, the underlying dynamics mainly emphasize the role of the automotive lead firms or local government and governance with their "follow-source" suppliers focused on a firm-centered analysis. However, these studies overlook the different characteristics of the temporal process and spatial organization of the various automotive lead firms-led reconfigured production networks formed that can dynamically trigger diverse local economic development. Additionally, the underlying dynamics behind the formation of reconfigured production networks ignore the intra-firm dynamics such as assemblers, R&D centers and engines of lead firms and the extra-firm dynamics such as different lead firms interplaying with various levels of states in host regions. This thesis employs quantitative methods such as firm-level data analysis and indicators measuring by Location Quotient index, Global Moran's I and Geographic Information System techniques, as well as semi-structured in-depth interviews analyzing by coding. It examines the temporal process and spatial organization of Japanese reconfigured production networks, particularly the organization with their suppliers in the automotive industry led by various lead firms. It illustrates that the organization of reconfigured production networks of various Japanese lead firms-led in Guangzhou can be regarded as "exclusive networks" characterized by close organization with their "follow-source" suppliers in the formation of trust and long-term relationship whilst displaying relatively weak ties with local suppliers, although the extent of them are different. The most exclusive network is Toyota, followed by Honda and Nissan. Spatially, there exist close inter-firm supply linkages in Japanese automotive firms, centering on their lead firms, having shaped tripartite confrontation of Japanese automotive investment within Guangzhou in terms of the extent of agglomeration, co-location effects, firm-size distribution within the agglomerations, and the effect of spatial autocorrelation. Drawing upon the "strategies" concept of global production networks (GPNs) theory, this thesis further demonstrates the differing extent of exclusive networks led by various lead firms can be interpreted by the different inter-firm partnership strategies between Japanese lead firms and their suppliers or intermediaries; the different agglomeration of spatial organization in the tripartite confrontation can be elucidated by the different three intra-firm coordination strategy of Japanese lead firms, and extra-firm bargaining strategy between Japanese firms (usually lead firms and largest suppliers) and local government. As a result of weak organization with local suppliers, the reconfigured Japanese automotive production networks cannot substantially accelerate the development of Guangzhou's local suppliers industry.

Esta dissertação tem como objetivo principal, demonstrar como são escolhidos, implantados e utilizados os sistemas ERP pelas pequenas e médias empresas da cadeia de suprimentos das indústrias de autopeças de uma cidade do interior de São Paulo; corresponde a uma pesquisa de caráter quantitativo e qualitativo combinados sobre Sistemas ERP implantados ou em fase de implantação; foi realizado um amplo levantamento bibliográfico que aborda vários assuntos relacionados aos sistemas ERP, 24 empresas sindicalizadas foram visitadas, para a aplicação de um questionário que permitiu identificar várias características dos sistemas ERP nestas empresas, como conclusão do trabalho, observações foram feitas em relação à implantação, principalmente quanto a diferente realidade das industrias de pequeno e médio porte em relação a literatura encontrada, aos elementos tecnológicos, humanos, gerenciais e gerais do Sistema ERP, contemplando também sugestões para os próximos trabalhos na área como por exemplo, a evolução da literatura sobre ERP em três vertentes: Ciclo de vida dos sistemas ERP; papel a ser desempenhado dentro do contexto empresarial e a divisão da literatura em: Implantação, estrutura e assuntos complementares de sistemas ERP e modelos de sistemas ERP. Como a pesquisa segue a linha de raciocínio de outras pesquisa que não consideram o seguimento da organização, pode-se utilizar os resultados para outros seguimentos apenas garantindo que as empresas estudadas sejam de pequeno e médio porte. / The main goal of this dissertation, is to demonstrate how are chosen, implanted and used the ERP systems for the small and medium companies of the supply chain auto parts industry from a city outside region of São Paulo; corresponding a combination of qualitative and quantitative research about ERP System implanted or in process of implementation; it was used a large bibliography that contain various topics related to ERP systems, 24 companies that are members of union were visited, to apply a questionnaire, allowing the identification of several characteristics of ERP systems in those companies, as the conclusion of this dissertation, observations were made related to the implementation, mainly about the difference of the reality in the small and medium companies related with the literature found, with the technological elements, human, management and general of the ERP System, also containing suggestions for following researches, as an example, the evolution of the ERP literature in three main subjects: Lifecycle of ERP Systems, the function to be developed in business context and the division of the literature in: Implementation, structure and complementary subjects of ERP Systems and models of ERP Systems. As the research follow the same direction of other researches, that do not consider the segment of the organization, it is allowed to use the results to other segments, only with the guarantee that the companies are small or medium size.

Este trabalho aborda o processo de introdução de tecnologias de automação com base microeletrônica em uma empresa montadora de automóveis instalada no Brasil, filial de um grupo transnacional. A análise realizada busca dar conta da lógica e da estratégia de incorporação da nova tecnologia através da compreensão do papel e da abrangência da atividade de Engenharia local no sentido de implementar tais inovações e mudanças tecnológicas. São utilizadas duas matrizes conceituais básicas: os modelos de Almeida (1981), para a compreensão do nexo Engenharia-Tecnologia- Fabricação e de Kaplinsky (1985), para a caracterização dos diversos tipos de automação. Levando em conta os modelos conceituais e o panorama atual do estado-da-arte tecnológico no setor automobilístico-montador, procede-se ao levantamento das inovações introduzidas na empresa e do processo de trabalho da engenharia local. Em seguida são analisados o fluxo de informações de fora para dentro da empresa e os processos de decisão associados à escolha tecnológica. Na compreensão do processo de mudança, três fatores foram considerados importantes: o nível tecnológico global da indústria, a estratégia particular do grupo ao qual pertence a empresa e as condições locais da planta a ser modernizada. Tendo em vista esses fatores observou-se que as mudanças são introduzidas de modo incremental e a empresa segue o mesmo caminho da matriz, porém defasadamente e a um ritmo mais lento. Em relação à Engenharia , observou-se que esta dispõe de relativa autonomia decisória, sujeita a restrições advindas dos três fatores acima. Por outro lado, o trabalho de engenharia depende, em boa parte, de procedimentos não formais de relacionamento com a Engenharia da matriz, fonte básica das informações tecnológicas necessárias. / This thesis deals with the process by which micro-electronics-based automation Technologies are introduced into an automobile factory located in Brazil but affiliated with a transnational firm. The analysis attempts to explain the logic and strategy of the incorporation of the new technology by means of an understanding of the role and the extent of the activity of the local engineering directed to the implementation of such technological changes. Two basic conceptual matrices direct the study: the model proposed by Almeida (1981) for the understanding of the mexus Engineering-Technology-Manufacturing and that of Kaplinsky (1985) for the characterization of the different types of automation. Taking into consideration the conceptual models adopted and the current technological state-of-the-art in the automobile industry, the study gives a description of the technological innovations introduced into the plant and of the process of operation of local engineering. In addition, the paper presents an analysis of the flow of information from outsides the plant and of the decision-making processes linked to the technological choice. Three aspects were considered to be relevant to the understanding of the process of change: the global technological level of the automobile industry, the particular strategy of the group to which the firm belongs, and the local conditions of the factory to be modernized. Taking into account these factors, it was observed that the changes were introduced incrementally and that the firm followed the same path as that of the head office but out of phase with and at a slower rate than the latter. As far as the engineering sector was concerned, it was observed that this a relative autonomy in decision-making, remaining subject to restrictions arising from the three factors listed above. On the other hand, the working processes of engineering depend largely on informal relationship with the engineering

Thesis. 1977. Ph.D.--Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Political Science. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND DEWEY. / Vita. / Bibliography : leaves 630-638. / Ph.D.

The objective of this thesis is to make a contribution to the existing knowledge and understanding of the structure, nature and determinants of East Asia’s automobile production networks. To understand the structure of East Asia’s automobile production, we explored the trade networks in terms of the major roles played by each East Asian country, their main trading partners, and the network patterns for the years 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2010. After understanding the structure of East Asia’s production networks, we then explored the nature of such networks by means of some related indices. Consequently, through the use of gravity equations, we were able to investigate the determinants of the automobile trade level for East Asian countries given their position in the international production networks. The findings of this thesis indicate that East Asia’s automobile networks are expanding over time and there exists a trend toward exporting parts and components for domestic assembly in view of the local market. In terms of the production network, the role of some countries such as Malaysia and Singapore remains unchanged, while the role of other countries such as China, Indonesia and the Philippines had expanded from importers to exporters of auto parts and components. Meanwhile, the role of Thailand has changed dramatically during the same period, i.e. from an importer of auto parts, components and final automobiles in the 1990s to an exporter of auto parts, components and final automobiles in the decade that followed. The findings also suggested that the main actor, i.e. Japan, played a major role in the transformation of the auto industry in East Asia during this period, with it now importing auto parts and components from its East Asian partners and also exporting auto parts and components to Thailand which then exports them as final goods. In addition, IPNs structure and nature, government policies as well as the role played by Japanese MNCs are the important determinants that boosted the development of East Asia’s auto industry.

As baterias automotivas de chumbo-ácido são componentes, que em grande parte dos fabricantes de automóveis nacionais, estão garantidas (ou dentro do período de garantia) por um ano. Mesmo sendo um período considerado curto para garantia de um veículo nos dias atuais, a bateria tem uma contribuição expressiva para os custos de garantia nas empresas por este período. Com o intuito de conhecer a confiabilidade deste componente e verificar a influência do período de armazenagem do veículo produzido na confiabilidade da bateria, foi elaborado um estudo com dados coletados em campo por um determinado fabricante de automóveis de passeio. Os parâmetros de entrada destes dados são o tempo de pátio do veículo, o tempo em que uma falha na bateria foi detectada no período de um ano de garantia e a quantidade de falhas observadas no período. Os dados permitiram análises em função do tempo, de forma que pelo método de análise paramétrica foram traçadas as curvas de confiabilidade do produto representadas por uma distribuição de Weibull de dois parâmetros, bem como, da densidade de probabilidade de falha e ainda da taxa de falha. As análises forneceram uma estimativa da confiabilidade da bateria em função do tempo, da qual foi possível extrair algumas conclusões que serão descritas neste trabalho, tais como: o comportamento de falha por desgaste das baterias automotivas e a diminuição da confiabilidade de baterias de acordo com o tempo de pátio. / The guarantee for the automotive batteries at the majority of the national vehicle manufactures is given for 1 year. Even considering this as a short period actually, this component has an expressive contribution to the guarantee costs of the companies. With the intention to know the reliability of the automotive batteries and to evaluate the vehicle storage time influence, it was carried out a study case, which had as inputs collected data from a particular vehicle manufacturer. The selected input parameters for the analysis were the vehicle storage time, time to failure and the failures amount detected in a period of 1 year. This data provided information to analyze the time domain and, supported by the reliability parametric methods, estimate the reliability of the automotive batteries. The two parameter Weibull distribution is used to model the probability density function, the failure rate analysis and reliability providing information for the conclusion of this study, like the batteries behavior of failure by wear and the reliability decrease according to the storage time.

This thesis deals with the development of the competence tocreate assembly efficient products. The assembly-relatedknowledge that is resident within an organisation is ofinestimable value and should be used, refined and developed inorder to obtain assembly efficient products. The question ishow competence development can be promoted organisationally.This thesis has adopted the working hypothesis thatmodularisation promotes competence in the development ofassembly efficient products. This position is based on theliterature regarding competence development,competence-promoting organisations, and concurrentengineering. The empirical research reported in this thesis is along-term case study carried out at Volvo Car Corporation. Inthe licentiate thesis that preceded this doctoral thesis, itwas suggested that assembly work should be based on modules.The further topics researched in this thesis includeexamination of a modularisation process, examination of thecommunication interface between the assembly organisation andthe product development organisation, the effects ofmodularisation on the assembly process, and an investigation ofthe development of two assembly efficient products. The product of the research is a model representing theorganisational prerequisites for developing competence in thecreation of assembly efficient products. The key elements inthe model are a transparent organisational structure, clearintention in the organisation, and accommodation ofcross-functional exchange. Modularisation is a means ofcreating a transparent organisational structure that makes itpossible for members of the organisation to understand thecontext in which they work, which is a basic requirement fordeveloping competence. A structure for cross-functionalcooperation should be put in place to facilitatecross-functional exchange and learning. To succeed indeveloping assembly efficient products, an organisation mustalso clear signal that this is its intention. Visions, goalsand strategies must express this ambition. Only then will themembers of the organisation have the mindset that enables themto use their full potential to develop competence in creatingassembly efficient products. <b>Keywords:</b>competence-promoting organisation, transparentorganisation, modularisation, assembly efficiency, automobileindustry

This research is based on neo-functionalism to analysis the extent of cooperation in Taiwan and Mainland China in the sector of automobile industry, and how it will affect the government policy between Cross-Strait relations. Since Mainland China to open up its market, there are more and more Taiwanese businessmen to invest in Mainland China. The relation between Taiwan and Mainland China is more closely, especially after accession in WTO. According to the discourse of neo-functionalism interest groups¡]industrial elites¡^and political elites will affect the government attitudes in decision-making. The elite of automobile industry from both sides of Taiwan Straits press both governments to put the policy of ¡§three direct links¡¨ into practice, is the case in point.