The South African leather industry has undergone a significant transformation since the 1990’s and this can be attributed primarily owing to two major factors that occurred. The first being trade liberalisation, which meant the fall of trade barriers, and the second being the Motor Industry Development Programme (MIDP), which was implemented in South Africa on 1 September 1995. The MIDP was implemented in the context of the country’s political and economic liberalisation, and the major structural shift in government policy and the trade regime. South Africa became much more globally integrated and the South African leather industry benefited because of this, as well as the incentives that was offered under the MIDP. Automotive exports of stitched leather seat parts responded positively to the incentives offered under the MIDP and stitched leather seat parts, as a component under the MIDP, became one of the best performing components being exported from South Africa. The MIDP had been terminated at the end of 2012 and is now being followed by government’s latest rendition of automotive policy, namely the Automotive Production and Development Programme (APDP). The APDP focuses on value addition, which pursues beneficiation of the country’s raw materials to the final stages, to ensure maximum benefit to the South African economy. The findings of the study entail that the South African leather industry is now in a vulnerable state because of the new automotive policy. This is mainly because the APDP does not provide the same level, or type, of incentives that the MIDP had provided to the industry. / Business Management / M. Com. (Business Management)

近年來，全球氣候暖化問題嚴重，造成地球環境的變遷，加上能源安全威脅與經濟、環境永續發展的考量，世界各國對於節能減碳的議題日漸重視。車輛電動化即在減少溫室氣體排放、改善生活環境、加強能源安全及掌握產業發展轉型契機等因素驅動下，成為全球車輛發展的重要趨勢，全球電動車產業結構與產業網絡正在逐漸成形中。 本研究係針對全球主要國家政府在面對電動車這個新興產業發展時，所採取的政策進行分析與探討，並且以日本、美國、中國、德國政府政策為探討目標，從文獻回顧及專業機構報告中整理分析各國政府的產業政策，試圖探討政府的角色與定位，進一步描繪出台灣政府應該扮演的角色，並且提出建議，作為政府於制定產業政策時之參考，期能對電動車產業做出貢獻，讓台灣電動車產業在此波革命浪潮中，創造出更高的價值及競爭力。 本研究發現，電動車新興產業在發展過程中充滿許多經濟面、市場面、環境面以及技術面的發展限制，本研究在羅列出的十六項發展限制中，有高達十一項限制與政府的政策息息相關。汽車百年產業革命成功與否，業界對於政府是否能創造具有競爭優勢的發展環境要求殷切，於是在電池研發技術未臻成熟、產業各項標準尚未建立之際，各國政府紛紛伸出<看得見的那隻手>，從產業研究發展獎勵、消費市場購車、用車以及充電基礎建設普及的促成與補助，配合業者在關鍵技術發展的努力、商業模式的發展、產業群聚的形成、充電基礎建設的普及、維修體系的建置、社會大眾對於環境品質的需求、用車習慣的改變、電動車節能形象的認同……等種種助力，形成產業能量面的推升力量以及市場需求的拉力，形塑出電動車未來發展的良性循環，試圖在此領域內創造出比較優勢，促使這一波新的汽車產業革命形成。 　　值此關鍵時期，台灣政府如何提供本國產業一臂之力，期於未來世界汽車產業佔有一席之地？這是許多業者關心的議題。目前，各國政府紛紛制訂獎勵政策協助業者以及消費者對於電動車發展與使用的認同；尤其德國政府作法積極，從保持人民生活品質、解決石油倚賴問題、強化經濟傳統命脈的汽車工業，從環境結構、基礎設施到社會大眾的消費習慣宣導著手，具體規劃國家新經濟遠景，將德國塑造成世界電動車大國，這是非常值得台灣政府參考的典範。 本研究建議，電動車產業處發展初階段，眾家車廠以及各國政府皆在摸索前行中，台灣政府應參考各國政府政策後，了解台灣產業的優勢與機會，從基礎設施到新能源政策、基本軟硬體投資環境的建置著手，協助業者發展創造出友善的投資環境並且積極發展國內電動車運行，累積出屬於台灣自己的<台灣EV經驗>，協助業者強化電動車相關技術，除藉由電動車的普及來降低國內對於石油的依賴外，倘若能成功推行電動車成為國際典範，讓世界看到台灣先進的科技與環保觀念，提升國際形象，在時機成熟時，提供關鍵零件技術，利用中國的潛在市場，參與國際標準制定，創造出台灣電動車產業的發展空間。 / The worsening problem of global warming in recent years has led to the environmental changes on Earth. This fact, along with the emerging threats to energy security and the call for sustainable economic and environmental development, has drawn increasing worldwide attention on the issues of energy saving and carbon reduction. As a result, the EV (Electric Vehicle) industry is gaining increasing importance in the global automobile market, driven by various motives including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving living environment, safeguarding energy security and seizing the opportunities of industrial transformation. The industrial structure and network of the global EV market is gradually taking shape. The purpose of this research is to explore and analyze the policies adopted by the governments of the world’s leading countries on the emerging EV industry, focusing on Japan, the USA, China and Germany. By reviewing historical documents and professional reports, the author has probed the industrial policies of these countries, endeavoring to identify the roles of the governments in this process and, furthermore, to depict the roles and positions of the government of Taiwan. The author has also provided recommendations to the government for developing industrial policies, with the hope that the research results will contribute to the growth of the EV industry in Taiwan and the creation of higher value and competitive advantages in this revolutionary process. It is discovered in this research that a great deal of development restrictions are involved in the growing process of the emerging EV industry, respectively in the economic, market, environmental and technological fields. Among the sixteen development restrictions outlined in this research, there are as many as eleven items which are closely bound up with government policies. The success of this unprecedented industrial revolution, therefore, relies on whether the government can create a development environment with sufficient competitive advantages, which is anxiously longed for by the EV industry. Given the facts that the R&D technologies for the battery industry are not fully mature and various industrial benchmarks are yet to be established, the “visible hands” are offered by governments, one after another, to support the industry. These government initiatives include: providing incentives for industrial R&D, stimulating the consumer market, as well as facilitating and subsidizing the EV car use and recharging infrastructure. Other supportive policies include assisting the EV industry in developing key technologies, building up business models, shaping industrial clusters, expanding recharging infrastructure, establishing the maintenance/repair systems, accommodating to the public demand on environmental quality and the changes in car-using habits, promoting the identification with the energy-saving image of EV’s, etc. All these measures have turned into a pushing force that gives momentum to the industry, as well as a pulling force that booms the market. They contribute to forming a virtuous development cycle for the EV industry in future; help to create comparative advantages in this specific field; and make impossible this new wave of industrial revolution for automobiles. At this critical stage, how would the Taiwan government lend a helping hand so that the local EV industry could gain a stake in the international automobile market in future? This is an issue widely concerned by the industry. Now, many countries are offering incentive policies to help with the development of the industry and build up consumer identification with the electric cars. The German government, particularly, has taken aggressive actions. Apart from the efforts in maintaining/improving the life quality of its people, the government also endeavors to reduce the dependency on imported oil and strengthen the competitiveness of its automobile industry, which is vital to the economic growth of the country. To realize the new economic vision of the country, the German government has developed specific plans, covering various initiatives including environmental structure, infrastructure construction and consumer education, etc. The purpose is to make Germany a leading country for the EV industry. These we believe are the “best practices” to be considered by the Taiwan government. The EV industry is yet at its preliminary stage of development. Governments, as well as EV manufacturers around the world, are all endeavoring to find the right path ahead. It is recommended, therefore, that the government of Taiwan should firstly study the policies of other countries and understand the strengths and weakness of local industries. The initial efforts should be focused on constructing infrastructures, setting up new energy policies and installing the fundamental software/hardware for a friendly investment environment, so as to support the growth of the industry. The government should, in the meantime, actively promote the electric vehicles in the domestic market, build up the unique “EV Experience of Taiwan” to help improving the relevant EV technology for the local industry. Apart from reducing the country’s dependency on imported oil, the successful popularization of EV in Taiwan will also become one of the best practices in the world and contribute to the elevation of Taiwan’s international image, having showcased its advanced technologies and strong environmental awareness. With increasing sophistication, Taiwan’s EV industry also has the capabilities to provide critical spare parts technologies and to play a role, through the potential China market, in the international standard-setting process, thereby creating further expanding possibilities for the industry.

"This document was submitted as a dissertation in December 2009 in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the doctoral degree in public policy analysis at the Pardee RAND Graduate School." / Title from PDF title screen (viewed Jan. 21, 2010). Includes bibliographical references (p. 343-360).

Bakgrund: Branschen för tunga kommersiella fordon har historiskt verkat i en relativt mogen kontext, där värdeerbjudandet kretsat kring inkrementella förbättringar av förbränningsmotorn. Ett ökat behov av hållbara transporter och nya framväxande teknologier gör nu inträde i branschen vilket skapar en disruptiv affärskontext som sätter sedan länge rådande affärsmodeller och strategier ur spel. För att som etablerad aktör i branschen förbli relevant krävs anpassning. Med begränsade resurser måste nya investeringar balanseras med behovet av att vårda den dagliga verksamheten. Genom att beakta centrala avvägningar kan övergången hanteras. Syfte: Denna studies syfte är att med ett explorativt förhållningssätt bidra till ökad förståelse för hur etablerade företag inom branschen för tunga kommersiella fordon hanterar en disruptiv affärskontext, genom att se till de centrala avvägningar som behöver göras för att klara av omställningen till ett disruptivt affärslandskap. Metod: Studien har antagit en kvalitativ forskningsstrategi med en fallstudiedesign. Den vetenskapliga inriktningen är realism och studien har en abduktiv forskningsansats. Datainsamling har skett genom 11 semistrukturerade intervjuer och dokumentstudier. Studiens analysmetod är tematisk analys. Slutsats: Branschen för tunga kommersiella fordon är i starten av disruptiv innovation vilket leder till en disruptiv affärskontext. Etablerade aktörer därinom behöver anpassa sig för att vidhålla dess relevans i branschen och långsiktigt överleva som företag. Vid denna anpassning finner studien att etablerade aktörer kan lära av gårdagen, planera för morgondagen och agera idag genom att se till de centrala avvägningarna: Driva eller drivas av efterfrågan, Resursallokering och portföljutformning, Modulariseringsstrategi, Företagets inblandning med externa parter, Rollen som OEM i det framtida transportekosystemet. Samtliga avvägningar påverkar etablerade aktörers förmåga att hantera en disruptiv affärskontext både positivt och negativt och måste beaktas av etablerade aktörer som anpassar sig till disruptiv innovation. / Background: The industry for heavy commercial vehicles has historically operated in a relatively mature context, where the value proposition has revolved around incremental improvements of the internal combustion engine. An increased need for sustainable transport and new emerging technology is now entering the industry, which creates a disruptive business context that puts longstanding business models and strategies out of play. In order for incumbents in the industry to remain adequate, adapting is required. With limited resources, new investments must be balanced with the need of nurturing the day-to-day operations. By taking key trade-offs into account the transition can be managed. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to contribute with an exploratory approach to a greater understanding of how established companies in the heavy commercial vehicle industry handle a disruptive business context, by looking at the key trade-offs that need to be considered to cope with the transition to a disruptive business landscape. Methodology: The study has been conducted with a qualitative research strategy and case study design. The research approach is realism, and the study has an abductive research approach. The gathering of empirical data has been conducted through 11 semi-structured interviews and document studies. The study has utilised a thematic analysis. Conclusion: The industry for heavy commercial vehicles is at the start of disruptive innovation, which leads to a disruptive business context. Incumbents need to adapt to maintain their relevance in the industry and survive as a company in the long term. With this adaptation, the study finds that incumbents can learn from yesterday, plan for tomorrow and act today by looking to the following key trade-offs: Drive or driven by demand, Resource allocation and portfolio design, Modularisation strategy, The company's involvement with external parties, The role as OEM in the future transport ecosystem. All trade-offs affect the ability of established players to handle a disruptive business context both positively and negatively and must be considered by incumbents who adapt to disruptive innovation.

This thesis investigates the factors to consider when implementing a business to business market entry strategy within the automotive industry. The aforementioned is conducted through an exploratory case study at a global industrial firm providing a comprehensive range of products and services within the motor vehicle industry. The case study is made on the foundation of existing theory, previous empirical research and interviews with relevant companies within the industry. The thesis provides an overview of the factors to be considered when executing a business to business market entry strategy on the automotive market based on existing literature and empirical research. Furthermore, the six main challenge areas that the case company faces in its work with entering a new market is displayed. These challenges are; (1) internal communication, (2) customer relations, (3) technical requirements, (4) strategic initiatives, (5) management support and (6) organizational alignment. In addition to the six challenges, potential strategic initiatives are discussed within each of the challenge areas. The six challenge framework can be used as a framework for other industrial firms striving to implement an industrial business to business market entry strategy. The main theoretical contribution of this thesis is the identification of challenges during a market entry within the automotive industry. Furthermore, the thesis concludes that the implementation of a market entry strategy can provide greater challenges than the development of the strategy itself, which is supported by both literature and empirical findings. Related to this, a misalignment between the business type and the marketing strategy type within the case company is identified. / Detta examensarbete undersöker vilka faktorer som bör beaktas vid implementering av strategier för att ta sig in på en ”business-to-business”-marknad inom fordonsindustrin. Detta görs genom en explorativ fallstudie på ett globalt industriföretag som säljer ett stort antal produkter och tjänster till fordonsindustrin. Fallstudien är grundad i litteratur, tidigare empiriska studier och intervjuer med relevanta företag inom industrin. Examensarbetet ger en översikt av de faktorer som bör beaktas då man implementerar en “business to business”-marknadsstrategi inom fordonsindustrin baserat på existerande litteratur och en empirisk undersökning. De sex främsta utmaningarna som fallstudieföretaget står inför identifieras, vilka är (1) intern kommunikation, (2) kundrelationer, (3) tekniska krav, (4) strategiska initiativ, (5) ledningsstöd och (6) organisatorisk sammstämmighet. Utöver de sex utmaningarna diskuteras potentiella strategiska initiativ inom varje utmaningsområde. De sex utmaningarna kan användas som ett ramverk för andra industriföretag som söker att implementera en marknadsstrategi. Det huvudsakliga teoretiska bidraget av detta examensarbete är identifiktationen av de utmaningar som uppstår vid en markandsingång inom fordongsindustrin. Dessutom visar examensarbetet att implementeringen av en marknadsstrategi kan visa sig vara en större utmaning än att ta fram densamma, vilket stöds av både litteraturen och den empiriska undersökningen. Relaterat till föregående kunde vi identifiera en obalans mellan fallstudieföretagets affärstyp och marknadsstrategi.