In the past years supply chain integration has become focus of interest, due to the discussion in the literature, that a positive direct relationship exists between higher supply chain integration and higher performance. Additionally, the environmental and social performance of supply chains gained much interest based on the new sustainability focus in the 21st century. The production of electrical and electronic equipment is one of the fastest growing global manufacturing activities. However, due to technological advancements, the quick obsolescence of electronics result in increased generation of waste of electrical and electronic equipment. Germany is one of the leading electrical and electronic equipment markets within Europe and is strongly affected by the EU directives and regulations, which aim not only to protect human health but also to improve the environmental performance of the electrical and electronic equipment operators in particular. Therefore, the environmental and social performance of German electrical and electronic equipment manufacturers is increasingly gaining importance. Respectively, the purpose of this study is to investigate what effect the depth of upstream supply chain integration has on the environmental and social performance of German electrical and electronic equipment manufacturers. This study is based on the quantitative research method. The required empirical data is generated through an online questionnaire, which has been sent to German electrical and electronic equipment manufacturers. An initial operationalization of upstream supply chain integration depth and environmental and social performance is used as a foundation for the questionnaire. It can be concluded that German electrical and electronic equipment manufacturers seem to have a coordinative upstream supply chain integration and presumably have a Abstract 4 moderate environmental and social performance. Furthermore, it can be assumed that the upstream supply chain integration depth has an effect on the environmental and social performance of German electrical and electronic equipment manufacturers.

Background: Organizations are continuously challenged to create differentiated customer value and experience to increase profitability and gain competitive advantage. At the same time, the fast-paced advancement of technologies provides the opportunity to the organizations to create a differentiated customer value by offering innovative products and services. Internet of things (IoTs) is one such emerging technology that brings within itself opportunities and challenges to be addressed. However, so far research has not sufficiently followed how the utilization of IoTs can enhance customer value and experience. Purpose: The purpose of conducting this study is to explore how the utilization of IoTs enhance customer value and experience in an equipment manufacturers context and what are the associated opportunities and challenges. The study also aims to contribute to gap identified in the literature about how organizations can utilize IoTs to enhance customer value and experience. Method: The qualitative study utilized a single instrumental case study to explore the research questions. The data is collected by conducting semi-structured in-depth interviews. Conclusion: The study reveals that the utilization of IoTs can significantly improve customer value and experience in many ways. This may involve enabling user to monitor, control and optimally use the equipment, sharing useful information, allowing value co-creation and synergistic values and finally by providing autonomous equipment’s or solutions. However, the study also reveals that the utilization of IoTs also pose certain challenges along with the opportunities which must be carefully evaluated.

The South African automotive industry has experienced significant changes in the last 20 years. Globalisation, the implementation of lean production and the development of modularisation have had a profound influence on the relationships between original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and their suppliers, the automotive component manufacturers (ACMs), and their suppliers. South Africa has a number of OEMs and a vibrant automotive component manufacturing industry (ACM), which supplies the South African aftermarket and a spread of export markets. These ACMs are the focus of this study. The main objective of this research study was to identify the supply chain management problems ACMs in South Africa encounter, to what extent they face these problems and how these can be overcome. The problems were identified through a literature review and interviews with two OEMs in South Africa. Using this data a questionnaire was compiled and sent to all NAACAM members for completion. This study is by nature descriptive and exploratory and contains quantitative and qualitative elements. Seven hypotheses were formulated to guide the research. The findings of this research indicate that the geographic location, age and size of the business, have no bearing on the supply chain problems ACMs face, whist the relationship between ACMs and their suppliers and ACMs and their customers is a significant problem. The findings also indicate that the following are some of the main supply chain problems facing ACMs: pressure by OEMs to reduce prices; the price of materials; cancellation of orders; excessive inventory; the unreliability of rail transport and rail capacity problems; the high cost of South African ports; the cost of replacing outdated technology; and BBBEE – achieving and verifying BEE scorecards. The findings further indicate a lack of skills and labour problems, both of which are time consuming to resolve. This study was completed over a four-year period. At the commencement of this study the automotive industry was booming, but in mid-2008, a global economic crisis started. This crisis impacted adversely on the automotive industry globally and in South Africa. Despite these challenges, leaders in the South African automotive component industry remain positive about the future. This study was completed over a four-year period. At the commencement of this study the automotive industry was booming, but in mid-2008, a global economic crisis started. This crisis impacted adversely on the automotive industry globally and in South Africa. Despite these challenges, leaders in the South African automotive component industry remain positive about the future. / Business Management / D. Comm. (Business Management)

The South African automotive industry has experienced significant changes in the last 20 years. Globalisation, the implementation of lean production and the development of modularisation have had a profound influence on the relationships between original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and their suppliers, the automotive component manufacturers (ACMs), and their suppliers. South Africa has a number of OEMs and a vibrant automotive component manufacturing industry (ACM), which supplies the South African aftermarket and a spread of export markets. These ACMs are the focus of this study. The main objective of this research study was to identify the supply chain management problems ACMs in South Africa encounter, to what extent they face these problems and how these can be overcome. The problems were identified through a literature review and interviews with two OEMs in South Africa. Using this data a questionnaire was compiled and sent to all NAACAM members for completion. This study is by nature descriptive and exploratory and contains quantitative and qualitative elements. Seven hypotheses were formulated to guide the research. The findings of this research indicate that the geographic location, age and size of the business, have no bearing on the supply chain problems ACMs face, whist the relationship between ACMs and their suppliers and ACMs and their customers is a significant problem. The findings also indicate that the following are some of the main supply chain problems facing ACMs: pressure by OEMs to reduce prices; the price of materials; cancellation of orders; excessive inventory; the unreliability of rail transport and rail capacity problems; the high cost of South African ports; the cost of replacing outdated technology; and BBBEE – achieving and verifying BEE scorecards. The findings further indicate a lack of skills and labour problems, both of which are time consuming to resolve. This study was completed over a four-year period. At the commencement of this study the automotive industry was booming, but in mid-2008, a global economic crisis started. This crisis impacted adversely on the automotive industry globally and in South Africa. Despite these challenges, leaders in the South African automotive component industry remain positive about the future. This study was completed over a four-year period. At the commencement of this study the automotive industry was booming, but in mid-2008, a global economic crisis started. This crisis impacted adversely on the automotive industry globally and in South Africa. Despite these challenges, leaders in the South African automotive component industry remain positive about the future. / Business Management / D. Comm. (Business Management)

Increased consumer expectations and diverse consumer needs have led to consumers turning to the internet as a communication medium to share their positive and negative experiences, feelings, and level of satisfaction with others. The primary objective of this study was to explore the nature of user-generated content, in terms of consumer complaint and compliment behaviour related to the seven OEM brands in South Africa. The study focused on the South African automotive industry, and the consumer behaviour associated with post-purchase responses on an online consumer advocacy platform, called Hellopeter.com. A qualitative research design, making use of a content analysis, was employed. In total, 185 user-generated content items were collected from Hellopeter.com for the data-collection period, and 176 complaints and 9 compliments were analysed. The results of this study indicated that the nature of user-generated content related to the seven OEM brands in South Africa could be categorised according to eight broad themes: seven themes were specifically related to consumer complaint behaviour, while one theme was associated with consumer compliment behaviour. The top consumer complaints and compliments related to the OEM brands on Hellopeter.com were also determined. The nature of the user-generated content showed various similarities to that of the general services industry but proved to be unique to the automotive industry. Specific recommendations were made and included that open communication channels and proper feedback systems should be put in place to satisfy consumer needs, and that the findings of the study should be used as a benchmark to monitor and improve consumer complaint and compliment behaviour, as a means to create loyal consumers / Business Management / M. Com (Business Management)

[ES] A lo largo de más de un siglo de historia de la industria del automóvil, los cambios tecnológicos y la externalización de algunos procesos productivos, han precisado que los proveedores de los grandes constructores desarrollaran nuevas y mayores capacidades. Con ello también se han establecido unas relaciones colaborativas más activas entre los diferentes agentes que forman parte de la industria del automóvil. Recientemente se anunciaba una revolución en la movilidad, la cual generaría cambios disruptivos en la industria del automóvil. Cambios que vendrían provocados por las nuevas normativas de emisiones contaminantes, la necesidad de hacer unas ciudades más habitables y sostenibles, así como la conectividad, los vehículos de conducción autónoma y la movilidad compartida (Neckermann, 2015). Los nuevos requisitos y necesidades suponen un entorno de grandes incertidumbres. Esta situación está provocando el debate en la industria del automóvil la cual ha de hacer frente a importantes retos tecnológicos, manteniendo su competitividad, a la vez que debe continuar satisfaciendo a sus clientes. Una de las claves para mantener el éxito y la competitividad de las empresas que conforman la industria del automóvil pasa por su capacidad en adaptar sus cadenas de valor a dichos cambios. Esto significa establecer cadenas de valor responsivas capaces de afrontar los cambios y oscilaciones a las demandas de los mercados. Ante ese panorama, cabe preguntarse si la industria del automóvil, ubicada en España, está preparada para afrontar las necesidades actuales y futuras de un mercado cada vez más cambiante. En caso contrario, conviene conocer qué acciones deberían emprender para mantener el atractivo que ha llevado a los grandes constructores, y también a importantes proveedores de primer nivel, a continuar realizando inversiones como las que se han llevado a cabo en las últimas décadas. Con este fin, en este trabajo de investigación se ha estudiado la situación de los constructores de automóviles y el modo en que éstos establecen sus relaciones con los proveedores que conforman la industria auxiliar. A lo largo de esta tesis se han ido identificando aquellos factores que influyen en dichas relaciones. Los cuales abarcan desde la comunicación interempresarial y la confianza mutua, hasta las actividades para la introducción de la industria 4.0, o el desarrollo y adquisición de nuevas capacidades y competencias. Se ha tenido en cuenta también la influencia de esas relaciones en la mejora de las cadenas de valor responsivas. Asimismo, se ha realizado una revisión de las Agrupaciones Empresariales Innovadoras - en adelante AEIs -, o clústers del automóvil organizados en España y la labor que estos ejercen en el fortalecimiento de las relaciones cliente-proveedor. La contribución más relevante del presente trabajo es la aportación a la industria del automóvil establecida en España del estado del arte del modo en que se desarrollan las relaciones entre la industria auxiliar y sus clientes, es decir, con los OEMs o los proveedores de nivel superior. Asimismo, se incluye el papel que desempeñan los clústers del automóvil o AEIs en esas relaciones. Mediante el estudio cualitativo y cuantitativo realizado de las empresas proveedoras, así como de los clústers existentes en España, se ha identificado la existencia de cadenas de valor responsivas que contribuyen a la competitividad de la industria automotriz. Al mismo tiempo se ha establecido la fortaleza y debilidad de los diferentes clústers y el rol desempeñado. Finalmente, esta tesis sugiere la continuación de este trabajo de investigación ampliándolo a los OEMs para identificar el rol de liderazgo que desempeñan en la gobernanza de los clústers y la dependencia de las estrategias establecidas por sus sedes centrales. / [CA] Al llarg de més d'un segle d'història de la indústria de l'automòbil, els canvis tecnològics i l'externalització d'alguns processos productius han precisat que els proveïdors dels grans constructors desenvoluparen noves i majors capacitats. Amb això també s'han establit unes relacions col·laboratives més actives entre els diferents agents que formen part de la indústria de l'automòbil. Recientment s'anunciava una revolució en la mobilitat, la qual generaria canvis disruptius en la indústria de l'automòbil. Canvis que vindrien provocats per les noves normatives d'emissions contaminants, la necessitat de fer unes ciutats més habitables i sostenibles, així com la connectivitat, els vehicles de conducció autònoma i la mobilitat compartida (Neckermann, 2015). Els nous requisits i necessitats suposen un entorn de grans incerteses. Aquesta situació està provocant el debat en la indústria de l'automòbil, la qual ha de fer front a importants reptes tecnològics, mantenint la seua competitivitat, alhora que ha de continuar satisfent als seus clients. Una de les claus per a mantindre l'èxit i la competitivitat de les empreses que conformen la indústria de l'automòbil passa per la seua capacitat a adaptar les seues cadenes de valor a aquests canvis. Això significa establir cadenes de valor responsives capaços d'afrontar els canvis i oscil·lacions a les demandes dels mercats. Davant aqueix nou panorama, cal preguntar-se si la indústria de l'automòbil, situada a Espanya, està preparada per a afrontar les necessitats actuals i futures d'un mercat cada vegada més canviant. En cas contrari, convé conéixer quines accions haurien d'emprendre per a mantindre l'atractiu que ha portat als grans constructors, i també a importants proveïdors de primer nivell, a continuar realitzant inversions com les que s'han dut a terme en els últims anys. A aquest efecte, en aquest treball de recerca hem estudiat la situació dels constructors i com aquests estableixen les seues relacions amb els proveïdors que conformen la indústria auxiliar. Al llarg d'aquesta tesi s'han anat identificant aquells factors que influeixen en aquestes relacions. Els quals abasten des de la comunicació interempresarial i la confiança mútua, fins a les activitats per a la introducció de la indústria 4.0, o el desenvolupament i adquisició de noves capacitats i competències. Així com la influència d'aqueixes relacions en la millora de les cadenes de valor responsives. També s'ha realitzat una revisió de les Agrupacions Empresarials Innovadores - d'ara en avant AEIs -, o clústers de l'automòbil organitzats a Espanya i la labor que aquests exerceixen en l'enfortiment de les relacions client-proveïdor. La principal contribució d'aquest estudi és l'aportació a la indústria de l'automòbil establida a Espanya de l'estat de l'art en les relacions que manté la indústria auxiliar amb els seus clients, es dir OEMs i Tiers de nivel superior, així com el paper que exerceixen en aquestes relacions els clústers de l'automòbil o AEIs. Mitjançant l'estudi qualitatiu i quantitatiu realitzat de les empreses proveïdores, així com dels clústers existents a Espanya, s'ha identificat l'existència de cadenes de valor responsives que contribueixen a la competitivitat de la indústria automotriu. Al mateix temps s'ha establit la fortalesa i feblesa dels diferents clústers i el rol que exerceixen. Finalment, aquesta tesi suggereix la continuació d'aquest treball de recerca ampliant-lo als OEMs per a identificar el rol de lideratge eixercit en la governança dels clústers i la dependència de les estratègies establides per les seues seus centrals. / [EN] Throughout more than a century of history of the automobile industry, the technological changes and the outsourcing of some production processes, have required that the suppliers of the most important automobile manufacturers develop new and greater capacities. Within this new environment, more active collaborative relationships have also been established between the different agents that are part of the automotive industry. Recently, it was announced a revolution in mobility, which would generate disruptive changes in the automotive industry. Changes that would be caused by the new regulations on polluting emissions, the need to make cities more liveable and sustainable, as well as the connectivity, the autonomous driving vehicles and the shared mobility (Neckermann, 2015). The new requirements and needs represent an environment of great uncertainties. This situation is causing the debate in the automotive industry, which must face important technological challenges, while maintaining its competitiveness, and continuing to satisfy its customers. One of the keys to maintain the success and competitiveness of the companies that make up the automotive industry is their ability to adapt their value chains to these changes. This means establishing responsive value chains capable of dealing with changes and oscillations to the demands of the markets. In front of this new panorama, it is worth wondering if the automobile industry, located in Spain, is prepared to face the current and future needs of an increasingly changing market. If not, it is important to know what actions they should take to maintain the attractiveness that has led important car manufacturers, as well as major first level suppliers, to continue making investments such as those that have been carried out in recent past years. For this purpose, in this research work it has been studied the situation of the automobile manufacturers and how they establish their relationships with the suppliers that make up the supply industry. Throughout this thesis, those factors that influence these relationships have been identified, from inter-company communication and mutual trust, to the introduction of industry 4.0 activities, or the development and acquisition of new skills and competencies. Identified as well, are the influence of these relationships in the improvement of responsive value chains. A review has also been carried out of the Innovative Business Groups - hereinafter AEIs -, or those automobile clusters organized in Spain and the task they carry out in strengthening customer-supplier relationships. The contribution of this study is the report to the automotive industry established in Spain of the state of the art in the relationships that the auxiliary industry maintains with its customers, i.e.: OEMs and Tiers 1, as well as the role that automotive clústers or AEIs play in these relationships. Through the qualitative and quantitative study carried out of the supplier companies, as well as of the existing clusters in Spain, the existence of responsive value chains that contribute to the competitiveness of the automotive industry has been identified. At the same time, the strength and weakness of the different clusters and the role played have been established. Finally, this thesis suggests the continuation of this research work, extending it to OEMs to identify their leadership role in the governance of the clusters, and the dependence on the strategies established by their headquarters. / Collado Fuentes, A. (2022). Relación cliente-proveedor como ventaja competitiva en la industria del automóvil. Aplicación al clúster del automóvil de la Comunidad Valenciana [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/182418

Variation in vehicle noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) response can be caused by variability in design (e.g. tolerance), material, manufacturing, or other sources of variation. Such variation in the vehicle response causes a higher percentage of produced vehicles to have higher levels (out of specifications) of NVH leading to higher number of warranty claims and loss of customer satisfaction, which are proven costly. Measures must be taken to ensure less warranty claims and higher levels of customer satisfactions. As a result, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have implemented design for variation in the design process to secure an acceptable (or within specification) response. The focus here will be on aspects of design variations that should be considered in the design process of drivelines. Variations due to imbalance in rotating components can be unavoidable or costly to control. Some of the major components in the vehicle that are known to have imbalance and traditionally cause NVH issues and concerns include the crankshaft, the drivetrain components (transmission, driveline, half shafts, etc.), and wheels. The purpose is to assess NVH as a result of driveline imbalance variations and develop a tool to help design a more robust system to such variations.