New product development is a challenging process which plays a significant role for the rise of the competitiveness of a firm. This process benefits from cooperative relations in the supply network of the firm, such as the collaboration in buyer- supplier relations. The automotive industry presents a good example for studying buyer supplier relations. The positive effects of supplier involvement in product design and development process have been discussed intensely in the literature due to the exceptional success of OEMs &ndash / Original Equipment Manufacturers- in the Japanese automotive industry. This study analyzes the role of suppliers in the automotive sector, the buyer-supplier interface and relations, and new product development process specific to the automotive industry in order to highlight the outcomes of supplier involvement in product development process especially during the design phase. A descriptive questionnaire study on the Turkish automotive supplier industry was conducted. The questionnaire was completed by 25 supplier firms who are members of the Association of Turkish Automotive Parts &amp / Components Manufacturers (TAYSAD) and 5 OEM firms. The questionnaire results show that the level of supplier involvement in the product design phase is low compared to the other project phases such as introduction to the project, prototype production, pre-launch, and mass production. Following this preliminary study, two in-depth interviews were conducted with one OEM and one supplier representatives, and more detailed information on suppliers&rsquo / involvement in product design was gathered. Keywords: Supplier Involvement, Automotive Industry, Product Development, Collaborative Design

<p>The paper examines the investment performance of the world automotive industry using a sample of 21 original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) based in three major continents, North America, Europe and Asia between the years 1999 and 2004. The empirical findings suggest that there exists persistent overinvestment not only in the global level but also in the major automotive production regions analyzed. Proving that none of the 3 regions gain returns on investment at least as large as their costs of capital, shareholder wealth is not maximized in the world automotive industry. Europe, among these regions, proves to gain the highest return on investment of its cost of capital. The empirical results also show that the return on investment financed by debt is high around the world and close to 100% of its cost of capital.</p>

The main purpose of this research is to study the impact of the empowerment Job Design (JD) techniques on the satisfaction of the blue-collars’ motivational needs in the context of assembly line system in the automotive industry. We have developed this purpose aiming to make a theoretical contribution due to the fact that only a few studies were developed and were linked to the empowerment model developed by Conger and Kanungo (1988) which is a JD model relevant for the context of assembly line work which is qualified as repetitive and monotone. To fulfil this gap, we have established a conceptual model based on the empowerment model developed by Conger and Kanungo (1988) and theories of motivational needs. We conducted our thesis with the following research question as guideline: What are the effects of the empowerment job design on the satisfaction of the blue-collars’ motivational needs in an automotive assembly line system context? Our objective of this research question was: to study the impact of the empowerment Job Design techniques on the blue-collars’ motivational needs thanks to a case study as research design. This research is made independently to the effects of the context on the blue-collar’s motivation. We have conducted a quantitative study from a positivist and objectivist perspective in two MB (Mercedes-Benz) factories: ELC Étoile du Rhône in France (sample part factory) and Rastatt MB (engine factory) in Germany. Also, we have made questionnaires to distribute these to the blue-collars located in these two MB factories which allowed us to get 67 respondents. The set of 15 questions that constitutes our questionnaire dealt with how the empowerment JD techniques affect their motivational needs. Once the data were collected, we used SPSS for statistical analysis. We retrieved some specific analysis such as descriptive statistics, correlations and regressions. In addition to that, we used Cronbach’s Alpha to test the reliability of our results. We measured the impacts of the empowerment JD techniques (participative management, feedback, modelling contingent/ competence based reward, goal setting and job enrichment) on the motivational needs (existence needs, relation-oriented needs and growth-oriented needs). The results of our findings definitely went in the way that the empowerment JD techniques have a positive impact on the satisfaction of the blue-collars’ motivational needs. Indeed, our analysis indicated positive correlations of all of the empowerment JD techniques on the motivational needs except the JD technique "modelling contingent/ competence based reward". Also, we found that the impacts on the relation-oriented needs (RN) were the strongest ones. Thus, we hope that this paper will help the assembly line managers to become aware of their blue-collars’ potential in order to increase their performance and to improve their employees job satisfaction.

High linoleic acid soybeans facilitate maximum production of soy-based polyurethane. The objectives of this study were to: 1) Evaluate environmental influence on yield and seed composition traits; 2) Estimate correlation coefficients between linoleic acid with agronomic traits; 3) Validate SSR markers associated with fatty acid QTL in multiple environments and across diverse genotypes; and 4) Evaluate the influence of fertilizers differing in P and K concentrations on seed fatty acids. RG25 was identified as the best genotype to be commercialized for polyurethane production. Strong marker-trait associations across environments included Satt_335, Satt389, Satt556 associated with palmitic and stearic, Satt389 with oleic, Satt389 and Satt537 with linoleic acid. A significant increase in linoleic acid content was observed when plants received modified Hoagland’s solution with 2×K compared to without K. Development of a high linoleic acid soybean line for polyurethane production is feasible using validated SSR markers and high K fertility. / Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

The present study was undertaken to indicate the differences and similarities in color determination process and color selection criteria of leading automobile manufacturers of the world. A comperative study was conducted in the light of relevant literature, interviews and questionnaires. A total number of 6 automobile company were selected for case study / Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Volkswagen, Renault and Toyota. Total 19 respondents, the majority of whom were automobile designers and color specialists answered questions related with color design of automobiles and selection criteria. Later, a total of 18 representatives, including at least one Color and Trim designer, Product Engineer and Purchasing Manager from each company, completed the questionnaires. On the basis of findings, it can be said that each auto manufacturer has a particular color determination process. However, there are some similarities in color design process of Renault and Ford, Volkswagen and Toyota, Hyundai and Honda.

<p>Multinational Corporations (MNCs) are facing the paradox of globalization and localization in entering each new market. Generally, there are two perspectives which regard to how a MNC configure its cross-border activities: The first is global convergence perspective, which focuses on leveraging corporate resources and attaining global synergies. The second is international diversity perspective, which lays more emphasis on local adaptation and harnessing diversities. Both perspectives have their pros and cons, a balance between international standardization and local adaptation is vital.</p><p>For the major Auto Giants in the world operating and competing worldwide, the significance of China market is as clear as day to everyone. This paper focuses on how the major Auto Giants balance the paradox of globalization and localization in the China market. In other words, how the MNCs deal with the dilemma of globalization and localization under different strategic contexts? We adopt a model which divides their activities in China into 6 stages and which includes criteria with regard to the dilemma of localization and globalization.</p>

Με την όλο και αυξανόμενη απαίτηση των πελατών για προϊόντα που να προσαρμόζονται περισσότερο στις ανάγκες τους, η σύγχρονη βιομηχανία πρέπει να επιδεικνύει μεγάλο βαθμό ευελιξίας. Ένα τυπικό παράδειγμα είναι οι αυτοκινητοβιομηχανίες, όπου για τον σκοπό αυτό, προσπαθούν να εξασφαλίσουν την βέλτιστη συνεργασία με τους προμηθευτές και τους αντιπροσώπους. Στην εργασία αυτή, έχει αναπτυχθεί ένα λογισμικό σύστημα που βασίζεται στο διαδίκτυο για την ανταλλαγή δεδομένων μεταξύ του κατασκευαστή, των προμηθευτών και την αντιπροσώπων μιας αυτοκινητοβιομηχανίας. Το λογισμικό αποτελείται από υπηρεσίες διαδικτύου, ενώ για την υλοποίηση της επιχειρησιακής λογικής, χρησιμοποιείται η γλώσσα BPEL (Business Process Execution Language). Τέλος, έχει υλοποιηθεί μια σχεσιακή βάση δεδομένων για την αποθήκευση του συνόλου των δεδομένων. / Since the customers’ demand for highly customizable products is rising, modern industry has to exhibit a high degree of flexibility. A typical example is the automotive industry, where efforts are being made, to ensure the best possible cooperation of the manufacturer with the suppliers and the dealers. In this thesis, a web based software system has been developed, for the exchange of data between the manufacturer, the suppliers and the dealers of an automotive industry. The software system consists of Web Services, while the business logic is implemented using BPEL (Business Process Execution Language). Last but not least, a relational data base has been developed for the storage of the data needed.

Orientador: Enéas Gonçalves de Carvalho / Banca: Alceu Gomes Alves Filho / Banca: André Luiz Correa / Resumo: Este trabalho procura analisar o ciclo recente de expansão da indústria automobilística brasileira (2003 - 2010), discutindo os fatores e as características básicas neste processo. O trabalho inicialmente aborda a dinâmica e o direcionamento do IDE da indústria automobilística internacional, tendo como pano de fundo a globalização deste setor industrial. São analisados os determinantes da retomada de investimentos da indústria automobilística brasileira. É feito também um exercício econométrico que tem por objetivo apresentar os principais fatores que explicam a evolução recente da demanda por veículos leves no Brasil. Por fim, o texto também faz uma comparação entre os setores industriais automobilísticas dos países dos BRICs / Abstract: This paper analyzes the recent cycle of expansion of the automobile industry (2003 - 2010), discussing the basic characteristics and determinants in this process. The paper initially discusses the dynamics and direction of FDI from the international automotive industry, with the backdrop of the globalization of this industry. We analyze the determinants of investment return of the Brazilian automotive industry. It also made an econometric exercise that aims to present the main factors that explain the recent evolution of demand for light vehicles in Brazil. Finally, the text also makes a comparison between the auto industries of the countries of BRIC / Mestre

Esta tese trata de uma análise da estrutura e a da dinâmica da mudança na indústria automobilística brasileira a partir de 1990. A hipótese é de que as mudanças na estrutura e na dinâmica da mudança é produto do contexto no qual a indústria esta inserida e do processo ininterrupto de introdução de inovações. Primeiramente foi analisado o contexto no qual a indústria surgiu no mundo e seu desenvolvimento posterior na economia brasileira. Os períodos de formação e consolidação da indústria automobilística estariam relacionados com as revoluções tecnológicas. Secundariamente, foram analisadas as abordagens da organização industrial que darão suporte as análises da indústria automobilística partindo do mainstream, passando pela abordagem institucionalista e neo-schumepeteriana. A combinação desses enfoques busca superar as limitações da abordagem do mainstream, para analisar os contextos fui utilizada a abordagem institucionalista e para analisar o processo de introdução de inovações foi utilizada a abordagem neo-schumpeteriana. Os resultados encontrados com a aplicação do estrutura-conduta-desempenho (mainstream), analisando dados da indústria automobilística brasileira a partir de 1990. Os resultados apontaram para uma redução na concentração da indústria, sem que isso traduzisse em queda na lucratividade do setor. Quanto às condutas, há uma tendência por maior diversificação e diferenciação de produtos, principalmente, a partir de 1999, em parte devido à entrada de novas montadoras no mercado. Com relação a introdução de inovações, as principais montadoras estabelecidas apresentaram estratégias voltadas para maior intensificação de gastos em P&D em relação a receita líquida de vendas e redução no tempo de lançamento de novos modelos de automóveis. Os processos de produção e formas organizacionais tornaram-se mais enxutos e com inovações pela incorporação de microeletrônica, permitindo um ajuste mais rápido da produção e a incorporação de novos modelos de automóveis. Conclui-se que houve uma reestruturação completa dessa indústria seguindo uma trajetória própria. Novamente, não foi possível afirmar que haja a convergência para um modelo único de produção nem mesmo um caminho único adotado pelas montadoras dessa indústria no Brasil. / This thesis is an analysis of the structure and dynamics of change in the Brazilian automotive industry since 1990. The hypothesis is that changes in the structure and dynamics of change is the product of the context in which the industry is inserted, and the uninterrupted process of introducing innovations.We first examined the context in which the industry has emerged in the world and its subsequent development in the Brazilian economy. The periods of formation and consolidation of the auto industry would be related to the technology revolution. Secondarily, we analyzed the approaches of industrial organization that will support the analysis of the automotive industry starting from the mainstream, through the neo-institutionalist approach and schumepeteriana. The combination of these approaches overcome the limitations of the mainstream approach to examine the broader institutionalist approach was used to analyze the process and the introduction of innovations we used the neo-Schumpeterian approach. The results from the application of structure-conduct-performance (mainstream), analyzing data from the automobile industry since 1990. Results showed a reduction in the concentration of industry, without this translate into a drop in profitability in the industry. As for the pipes, there is a tendency for greater diversification and product differentiation, especially after 1999, partly due to the entry of new manufacturers in the market. Regarding the introduction of innovations, the major manufacturers had established strategies for better leveraging of expenses on R & D in relation to net sales and reduced time to market for new cars. Production processes and organizational structures have become leaner and innovations by embedding microelectronics, allowing a faster adjustment of production and incorporation of new car models. It is concluded that there was a complete restructuring of the industry following a trajectory. Again, it was not possible to say that there is convergence to a single model of production or even a single path adopted by automakers such industry in Brazil.

Este trabalho propõe diretrizes para avaliar a utilização de práticas da produção enxuta (PE) em células de manufatura (CM). As diretrizes foram desenvolvidas após revisão da literatura e testadas em estudos de caso realizados em quatro células de três empresas pertencentes à cadeia automotiva. O escopo das diretrizes envolve a avaliação de cinco atributos qualificadores das CM e de 18 práticas e 40 atributos qualificadores de PE, os quais, por sua vez, são agrupados segundo sua afinidade com três grandes subsistemas: recursos humanos, tecnologia de processo e planejamento e controle de produção. As diretrizes possuem quatro fases de aplicação: (a) fase de preparação, que consiste em reuniões para apresentação dos procedimentos de avaliação aos representantes das empresas; (b) fase 1, composta por uma entrevista com engenheiros de processo ou supervisores de produção, tendo em vista coletar dados para caracterização da CM e da empresa; (c) fase 2, na qual é feita a avaliação do uso de práticas da PE na CM com base na observação do seu funcionamento e em entrevistas com operadores e líderes ou supervisores; (d) fase 3, composta por uma reunião para apresentação e validação de resultados junto aos membros da empresa. Os resultados indicaram um conjunto de fatores que teve influência no nível de adoção de práticas de PE nas CM investigadas (a) o motivo que levou a empresa a adotar a PE; (b) o tempo de experiência com os conceitos de PE, aliado ao tempo de existência da CM; (c) o fato de algumas práticas da PE requererem maior envolvimento de áreas de apoio; (d) a relação de inter-dependência entre algumas das práticas de PE; (e) a variedade de modelos produzidos pela célula; (f) a sinergia entre algumas práticas da PE e de atributos da CM; (g) a presença de equipamentos de grande porte em conjunto com um alto número de operações. / This study presents guidelines to evaluate the use of lean production (LP) practices on manufacturing cells (MC). A literature review and field tested in case studies on four MC in three companies that belong to the automotive production chain preceded the guidelines development. The guidelines are based in evaluate five qualifying attributes of MC and 18 practices and 40 qualifying attributes of LP grouped in three subsystems: human resources, process technology and production planning and control. There are four steps on the evaluation: (a) preparation step, based on meetings to present evaluation details to the company members; (b) step 1, interviews with process engineers or production supervisors to collect MC and company data; (c) step 2, evaluating the use of LP practices on the CM based on the MC observation and interviews with workers, team leaders and production supervisors; (d) step 3, a meeting to present and validate the evaluation results to the company members. The research results indicate a number of factors that have influences on the level of use of LP practices on the MC investigated: (a) the company motives on adopting LP; (b) the amount of time of LP experiences and MC existence; (c) the support areas involvement to some LP practices; (d) the dependent relation between some LP practices; (e) the varieties of items produced by the MC; (f) the synergy of some LP practices with the MC attributes; (g) the use of large dimension equipments along with a large number of process in the MC.