The master thesis discusses the development of automotive industry in foreign trade of Czech Republic in 1993-2009. The thesis consists of 3 main parts: the first part deals with production of czech producers as object of following exports, the second part documents import of automobiles into the Czech Republic and the third part describes and analyses development of foreign trade and the role of automotive industry in foreign trade of Czech Republic.

The Thesis summarizes development and management of multinational corporation which must deal with the consequences of the financial crisis. It includes theoretical background within international management and strategic analyses which are applied in functional part to General Motors Corporation. The result of the strategic analyses is to map the current situation of the company, its prospective trend and recommendations.

Problem: The increasing complexity of supply chains have created a need for more well-developed quality processes that all stakeholders understand and ultimately adopt. Considering that the automotive industry generally involves thousands of components and suppliers, it makes the automotive supply chain complex by nature, and therefore challenging to control. Thus, it is of interest to create a better understanding of how companies within this large network manage to ensure quality conformance.   Purpose: The purpose of this research is to explore and understand the strategies that are employed by companies working within the automotive industry in order to realize a supply wide conformance within quality.   Method: Primary data were collected from seven interviews with representatives from six companies; three major automotive companies, two tier-one suppliers and one tier-two supplier. The findings were analyzed using thematic analysis with the aim of finding recurring themes and categories that could be further analyzed in relation to previous literature.   Findings: The findings show that there are four recurring areas in which companies work to ensure quality throughout their supply chain. These are (1) Standards & Systems, (2) Risk Minimizing Activities, (3) Organizational Culture, (4) Involvement & Development. Furthermore, a relationship between these four areas have been identified.

In the upcoming years, our society and economy will face enormous challenges due to global warming, which is caused by the emissions of carbon dioxide and other global-warming gases. Due to its high share of CO2emission, the detrimental role of the automotive industry has recently been put into the spotlight of the public discussion. Thanks to a growing public awareness of climate change and the pollution caused by vehicles, there is now a call for action towards a more sustainable business approach by car manufacturers. The objective of this research is to investigate the actions taken by car manufacturers to meet these demands and to reveal the driving forces of this transformation. This will be done by an empirical analysis of qualitative data from two of the main companies in this sector, namely the BMW Group and the Volvo Car Group. The data comprises interviews with representatives of the two car manufacturers together which is combined with their non- financial reporting. Furthermore, this study presents the relevant scientific literature on business models. This combination of theoretical and empirical evidence will allow us to shed light on whether sustainability is a chance or a burden for car manufacturers. The results of our empirical analysis show that a sustainable business model is a chance for car manufacturers to gain a competitive edge against their competitors and thereby ensure their long-term survival. More specifically, a higher sustainability can lead to cost savings in production, new value propositions in marketing, and new revenue models overall. However, the transformation to sustainable business models also poses several challenges for the companies. Nonetheless, in summary, sustainability in the context of business models is more of a chance than a burden.

Les pays émergents dotés d’un marché dynamique sont devenus l’« espace » principal de la production automobile. Les pays développés restent les principaux exportateurs. Dans cette thèse nous mesurons la valeur des exportations théoriques des pays émergents par rapport aux paramètres (PIB, coûts d’échange) d’un modèle de gravité augmenté. Les exportations de voitures de la plupart des pays émergents risquent de stagner à cause de la faible économie de la connaissance et des coûts élevés d’échange dans ces pays. L’Iran a une opportunité pour augmenter ses exportations automobiles en améliorant la qualité de ses produits domestiques ou en construisant des plateformes exportatrices pour les FMN. Les exportations de la Turquie et du Mexique risquent de stagner à moins que le Mexique augmente ses exportations vers l’Europe et l’Asie, et que la Turquie améliore la valeur ajoutée de son industrie. Le véhicule électrique et la batterie lithium-ion incarnent l’avenir de l’industrie automobile. Il est prévu que la Chine et les États-Unis soient les principaux exportateurs de la batterie li-ion. Il est fort probable que les exportations américaines augmentent surtout vers les pays les plus avancés en matière des technologies de l’information et de la communication. / Emerging countries (EC) endowed with dynamic markets became the main automotive production area. Developed countries are still the main exporters. In this thesis, we measure the theoretical value of exports of EC based on the parameters (GDP, trade costs) of an augmented gravity model. The car exports of the majority of EC risk stagnation because of weak knowledge economy & high trade costs in these countries. Iran has an opportunity to increase its automotive exports under the condition of improving its domestic products and/or building export-platforms for global automakers. The exports of Turkey & Mexico risk stagnation unless Mexico increases its exports to Europe & Asia, and Turkey increases the added-value of its industry. Electric vehicles and lithium-ion batteries are the future of the automotive industry. China & the USA are expected to be the main exporters in the field of li-ion batteries. The growth of American batteries exports is highly probable notably to countries with advanced ICT infrastructure.

No decorrer dos anos 90, a função compras nas empresas do setor automotivo passou por uma significativa transformação. A área de compras, que estava tipicamente voltada para a atividade de aquisição, passou a fazer parte de um processo complexo e integrado, envolvendo, além da área de compras, outras áreas da organização (engenharia, qualidade, finanças, logística, marketing, entre outras) que exercem papel estratégico. Vários fatores contribuíram para essa transformação, destacando-se dentre eles: a influência das práticas da produção enxuta (lean production), as novas formas de relacionamento entre as empresas na cadeia de suprimentos, a evolução dos negócios pela Internet, o surgimento de fornecedores mais especializados em função dos avanços tecnológicos e a própria competição global, provocando uma reestruturação organizacional nas empresas. Neste cenário, o presente trabalho estuda a evolução da atividade de compras levando em conta a interdependência entre as dimensões produzir, comprar e fornecer, interdependência essa que, a partir de um determinado projeto de produto, afeta a forma como a área de compras se organiza e opera na empresa e junto à cadeia de suprimentos. Conceitos como sede de projeto, sede de produção, produção modular, desverticalização produtiva, just in time, entre outros, são tratados no presente trabalho como uma espécie de pano de fundo para a nova configuração de compras, analisada em duas montadoras, localizadas no ABC Paulista, que centralizam as compras de materiais produtivos para as demais plantas localizadas no Brasil. Como contribuição científica, o presente trabalho procura mostrar a configuração de compras de empresas que adotam práticas modernas tanto na gestão de suprimentos como no relacionamento com o fornecedor, analisando a nova forma de atuação de compras, cujas atividades vão além das negociações típicas de preço e prazo e requerem o aprimoramento do perfil e das qualificações dos compradores. / During the 1990’s, sourcing in companies of the automotive sector underwent a major transformation process. The purchasing area, which until then had been typically geared to buying, became part of a complex and integrated process involving other areas besides purchasing (such as engineering, quality, finance and logistics, among others), and which have a strategic role in the organization. Several factors have contributed to this transformation, outstanding among them: the influence of lean production practices, the new types of relationships among companies in the supply chain, the e-business boom, the presence of more specialized suppliers due to technological advancements and to global competition itself. All of these aspects have caused an organizational restructuring in the companies. Ser against this scenario, this work studies the evolution of purchasing taking into account the existing interdependence at the levels of producing, buying and supplying which, based on a given product design, has affected the way purchasing is organized and how it operates within the company and in connection with the supply chain. Concepts such as design headquarters, production headquarters, modular production, production outsourcing - just in time among them - are dealt with in this work as a type of background for the new configuration of purchasing analyzed at two assemblers of the ABC district in São Paulo that centralize the purchasing of productive materials for the remaining plants located in Brazil. This study aims to make a scientific contribution by showing the purchasing configuration of companies which adopt modern practices both in supply management and in the relationship with the supplier, analyzing the new role of purchasing, whose activities go beyond the typical price and deadline negotiations, and which require the upgrade of the purchaser’s profile and qualifications.

A metodologia Seis Sigma vem sendo disseminada entre as grandes empresas, principalmente multinacionais, porém o mesmo não vem ocorrendo com as micro, pequenas e médias empresas (MPMEs), em especial as nacionais. Dentre este universo de MPMEs brasileiras, as autopeças são um caso de particular interesse, pois as mesmas enfrentam sérios problemas de competitividade e raras buscam o Seis Sigma como solução, mesmo tendo a maioria já investido na implantação de programas da qualidade utilizando outras metodologias com elementos comuns ao Seis Sigma, como Sistemas de Gestão da Qualidade, TQM (Total Quality Management) e Manufatura Enxuta. Esta pesquisa, um estudo exploratório realizado por meio de um survey, objetivou então conhecer os fatores que influenciam a decisão de adoção ou não do Seis Sigma por MPMEs nacionais de autopeças, e os resultados levaram a concluir que estes seriam: a conscientização da Direção, a competência preexistente para condução de projetos, o volume de recursos disponíveis e a preexistência de uma cultura da qualidade. Com base nestas conclusões foram apresentadas sugestões que visam facilitar a adoção da metodologia por este importante conjunto de empresas nacionais, esperando com isso contribuir em sua busca por competitividade. / The Six Sigma methodology is being spread among big companies, mainly by international companies, however the same is not happening within the small and midsize enterprises (SMEs), in particular, the national ones. In this universe of SMEs, the national auto parts industries have an interesting case, because they face serious competitiveness problems and rarely use Six Sigma as a solution, despite that majority have already invested in other quality programs implementation using methodologies which have elements in common with the Six Sigma, like Quality Management Systems, TQM (Total Quality Management) and Lean Manufacturing. This research, a exploratory survey study, had the objective of knowing the factors that have had influence over the SMEs Brazilian auto parts decision of whether to adopt the Six Sigma or not, and the results led us to conclude they are: the Direction awareness, the competence pre-existent to manage projects, the resource availability and the pre-existence of a quality culture. Based on those conclusions, suggestions were presented in order to make this methodology adoption easier by these important national companies set, in the expectation of contributing in their search for competitiveness.

O estudo aborda as características de relacionamento entre empresas montadoras e operadores logísticos no Brasil, tendo em vista o caráter estratégico da prestação de serviços de logística integrada na indústria automobilística, setor que vem apresentando uma transformação muito grande em suas práticas e organização. O foco de análise é a logística de suprimento em montadoras de automóveis, não se abordando a distribuição de veículos prontos. O processo de globalização tem exigido a reestruturação das empresas para sua sobrevivência e desenvolvimento, a busca de vantagem competitiva, pela incorporação a seus produtos, da cadeia de valor dos clientes, e, no relacionamento interempresarial, novas formas de administração de suas cadeias de suprimentos. Os serviços de logística se mostram mais abrangentes, na estratégia e processo produtivos, numa nova caracterização da atuação de operadores logísticos. Na sua terceirização, tendência firme que se constatou, teoricamente, poderiam se apresentar alianças estratégicas entre empresas. As características de relacionamento nessa direção são abordadas nesta tese. O estudo foi conduzido com base em fontes secundárias e pela realização de entrevistas junto a montadoras e operadores logísticos. Metodologicamente, adotou-se o estudo de multicasos na identificação de arranjos institucionais da operação da logística por operadores especializados. Foi identificado um ambiente em transição, em que a terceirização é um fato, com operadores logísticos, assumindo, cada vez mais, parcelas importantes das atividades dos contratantes. No entanto, o relacionamento está longe de caracterizar verdadeiras alianças estratégicas, apresentando-se uma interação dinâmica e, muitas vezes contraditória, entre as empresas. A consciência mútua das interdependências, aceitação e entendimento de interesses individuais, a serem conciliados em alianças estratégicas, com o objetivo comum de melhor condição competitiva e compartilhamento justo de riscos, custos e recompensas, podem ser fundamentais na implantação de novas formas de produção na indústria e na adoção de operadores logísticos únicos. / This study analyses the relationship among automotive industries and third party logistics (3PL) providers in Brazil, regarding the strategic aspect of the integrated logistics service in that industry, which is showing a remarkable changing in its organization and production practices. This analysis focuses the inbound logistic in car assembling plants. The globalization process requires firms restructure to enable survival and development, the search for competitive advantages, reflecting in their products their clients value chain and, in the relationship among firms, innovative ways of supply chain management. Logistics services assume a broader scope in the production process and in the company strategy, reflecting their providing by 3PL firms in a new way. In this outsourcing, theoretically, strategic alliances among firms could take place. The relationships characteristics towards this direction are analyzed in this thesis. The study used secondary sources and interviews were conducted with automotive and logistic services providers executives. For identifying institutional arrangements in logistics services providing industry, the basic methodology adopted was multicase studies. This work identifies a transition environment with outsourcing as a fact and logistics providers increasingly assuming relevant portions of the automotive industry activities. Nevertheless, their relationships are far from actual strategic alliances, occurring a dynamic and, many times, contradictory interaction among the firms. Consciousness of mutual interdependence, agreement and understanding of individual interests to be conciliated for the achievement of the common objective of better competitive condition and fair risks, costs and rewards sharing are needed. This could be a sound basis for the new production ways and define solids fundamentals for the new trend of full logistic provider implementations, already seen in the industry.

O polipropileno com carga ou reforço de fibras de sisal (PP Sisal) é um composto desenvolvido para ser aplicado no processo de injeção de peças plásticas automotivas. Compósitos de polipropileno reforçados com cargas minerais (talco) ou fibras de vidro têm sido largamente aplicados nesse segmento. Porém, fibras naturais são uma importante alternativa considerando-se os aspectos de sustentabilidade, reciclabilidade, abundância e baixo custo, se comparadas a fibras de vidro e ao talco industrial. Neste trabalho escolheu-se o sisal como reforço em função dos resultados obtidos em testes de tração, impacto, homogeneidade, resistência a riscos, a não formação de pontas quando fraturado e ao menor peso específico da peça final. Este trabalho conduziu ensaios e testes para comparar o desempenho do novo composto aos compostos atualmente em uso. Resultados mostraram que o PP - sisal apresenta melhor rigidez e maior resistência do que os seus concorrentes, ainda contando com o apelo natural e ecológico do composto. Outro aspecto muito importante neste estudo foi o uso de polipropileno reciclado, o que transformou o resultado final num produto ainda mais ecológico e rentável. / Reinforced with sisal fibers, polypropylene (PP - Sisal) is a compound developed to be applied in the injection process of plastic automotive parts. Polypropylene compounds reinforced with mineral fillers (talc) or fiber glass have been widely applied in this segment. However, natural fibers are an important alternative considering the following aspects: sustainability, recyclability, abundant availability and low cost, if compared with fiber glass and mineral fillers. This work chose sisal as reinforcement in function of the results achieved in the tests of traction, impact, homogeneity and scratch resistance. Besides that, no sharp is formed when broken and specific weight is light in the final part. We conducted try-outs and test to compare the performance of the new composition with that of current ones, and results have shown that the PP - sisal presents better rigidity and greater resistance than its competitors, still counting with natural and ecological appeal. Another very important aspect in this study was the use of recycled polypropylene, which made final results more ecological and profitable.

Um modelo de avaliação da gestão do conhecimento no processo de desenvolvimento de produtos é proposto, focalizado no relacionamento entre quatro tipos de conversões do conhecimento consolidadas teoricamente, e quatro dimensões integradas que formam o referido processo. Estas conversões são a socialização, a externalização, a combinação e a internalização, que se referem às relações entre dois tipos de conhecimentos, aqueles inerentes às habilidades pessoais, o tácito, e aqueles possíveis de verbalizar e registrar, o explícito. Tais conversões podem ocorrer na estratégia, organização, atividades e recursos, que são as dimensões que formam o processo de desenvolvimento de produtos. O referido relacionamento entre conversões e dimensões foi constatado por diversas hipóteses e melhores práticas que são, respectivamente, suposições e comprovações deste relacionamento em pontos específicos, formuladas com base em um extenso estudo da bibliografia. O conjunto destas hipóteses e melhores práticas forma o modelo de avaliação mencionado, que foi aplicado e validado em um amplo estudo de caso na indústria automobilística, em que ficou demonstrado sua viabilidade prática e efetividade na construção de uma visão completa sobre a situação em que se encontra a gestão do conhecimento no processo de desenvolvimento de produtos investigado. Este estudo propõe recomendações para a empresa e incrementos no conteúdo do modelo utilizado, comprovando a utilidade e a originalidade do modelo de avaliação para a realização do diagnóstico empresarial voltado à gestão do conhecimento no processo de desenvolvimento de produtos. / In this thesis, an evaluation model of knowledge management in the product development process is proposed and it is focused on the relationship among four types of knowledge conversion (which are theorically consolidated) and four integrated dimensions that form the related process. These conversions are socialization, externalization, combination and internalization, which are related to the relationship among two types of knowledge: those which are inherent to personal abilities (tacit knowledge) and those ones which are possible to verbalize and register (explicit knowledge). These conversions may occur in the strategy, organization, activities and resources, which are the dimensions that form the product development process. This relationship has been established due to the several hypothesis and the best practices presented - that are assumptions and evidences of this relationship in specific points respectively -, which were formulated based on an full bibliographical study. The group of these hypothesis and best practices forms the mentioned evaluation model, which was applied and validated in a large case study in the automotive industry, in which its practical viability and its effectiveness were demonstrated in the building a complete view about the situation in which it is possible to find the evaluation model of knowledge management in the process that was investigated. This study proposed some recommendations for the company and increased in the content of the model that was used, so that it proves the usefulness and originality of the evaluation model to the executation of the enterprise diagnostic turned to the knowledge management in the product development process.