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Characteristics of the European automotive system: Is there a distinctive European approach?

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  • Jürgens, Ulrich

Abstract

The paper discusses pro and cons concerning the hypothesis of a distinctive European approach regarding its automotive system. Its aim is to develop an international comparison of the structural changes in the international automo-tive industry. A special focus is laid on the ways of coordinating competencies and knowledge. What are the differences that set the European industry apart from its North American and Japanese competitors in this regard? The paper discusses EU market characteristics and particularities of the European de-mand structures, the history of specific European approaches in the area of production systems and new forms of work and the recent changes of supplier relations since the 1990s. The analysis shows that the approach taken in the course of the restructuring of the supplier industry in Europe led to the devel-opment of specific capabilities related to cross company and interorganisational cooperation in the 1990s which partially explains the successful development of the European auto industry in recent time.

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  • Jürgens, Ulrich, 2003. "Characteristics of the European automotive system: Is there a distinctive European approach?," Discussion Papers, Research Unit: Knowledge, Production Systems and Work SP III 2003-301, WZB Berlin Social Science Center.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:wzbkpw:spiii2003301
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yannick Lung, 2004. "The changing geography of the European automobile system," International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 4(2/3), pages 137-165.
    2. Volpato, Giuseppe & Stocchetti, Andrea, 2002. "Managing information flows in supplier-customer relationships: issues, methods and emerging problems," MPRA Paper 30476, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Sandberg, Åke, 1995. "Enriching Production: Perspectives on Volvo's Uddevalla plant as an alternative to lean production," MPRA Paper 10785, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 2007.
    4. Akira Takeishi & Takahiro Fujimoto, 2001. "Modularization in the Auto Industry: Interlinked Multiple Hierarchies of Product, Production, and Supplier Systems," CIRJE F-Series CIRJE-F-107, CIRJE, Faculty of Economics, University of Tokyo.
    5. Takeishi, Akira & 武石, 彰 & Fujimoto, Takahiro & 藤本, 隆宏, 2001. "Modularization in the Auto Industry: Interlinked Multiple Hierarchies of Product, Production, and Supplier Systems," IIR Working Paper 01-02, Institute of Innovation Research, Hitotsubashi University.
    6. Jean-Jacques Chanaron, 2001. "Implementing technological and organisational innovations and management of core competencies: lessons from the automotive industry," International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 1(1), pages 128-144.
    7. Best, Michael, 2001. "The New Competitive Advantage: The Renewal of American Industry," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780198297451.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sofka, Wolfgang & Zimmermann, Jörg, 2005. "There's no Place Like Home: A Strategic Framework to Overcome Liability of Foreignness in the German Car Market," ZEW Discussion Papers 05-84, ZEW - Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research.
    2. Yannick LUNG (E3i, IFREDE-GRES & GERPISA), 2004. "The Challenges of the European Automotive Industry at the Beginning of the 21st Century. Summary of the main findings of the CoCKEAS project," Cahiers du GRES (2002-2009) 2004-08, Groupement de Recherches Economiques et Sociales.

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