Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Automotive industry and trade Management'
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Nitek, Kevin W. "Americas [sic] automotive competitiveness and TQM." Online version, 1998. http://www.uwstout.edu/lib/thesis/1998/1998nitekk.pdf.
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Coetzer, Louis. "Key success factors for lean implementation in the Eastern Cape automotive industry." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14928.
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Lean manufacturing has become an integral part of the global automotive industry where manufacturers strive to improve quality, reduce costs while providing customers with more variety. Organisations are implementing the Lean Production System (LPS) as a process improvement methodology to deliver their products faster, better quality and at a lower cost (Laureani & Antony, 2012). This is accomplished through the elimination of waste and continuous improvement (Kaizen). Through the effective implementation of lean principles, an organisation can realise cost competitiveness, process improvement and ultimately gain a competitive advantage. Although the theory of lean manufacturing is based on the implementation of tools, techniques and operational methods, many organisations that have implemented Lean have not reaped its full benefit. Thus, the realisation that lean manufacturing must consist of more than the summation of its operational based principles, tools and techniques. It has to be approached as a philosophy, which encompasses the entire organisation (Womack & Jones, 1996). Lean is a way of thinking and not merely the implementation of thoughts (Bhasin & Burcher, 2006). Laureani & Antony (2012) added that the fundamentals behind Lean are continuous improvement, waste elimination and employee empowerment. Lean introduction is more than the redesign of processes; the most important change must be in the knowledge of the employees (Dombrowski, Mielke & Engel, 2012). The literature clearly states that the successful implementation of a lean production system depends on more than the application of lean tools and techniques. Many authors and researchers hint that another critical factor associated with its implementation is the human aspect of the organisation. Hence, this study will examine the human related Key Success Factors (KSF‟s) required for the successful implementation of a lean system.
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Wentzel, Louis. "An investigation into whether total productive maintenance is effectively applied at an automotive plant." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020994.
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For many manufacturing companies, equipment is the largest capital investment andeffective maintenance of these assets can impact on profitability. It extends equipment life, improves equipment availability and retains equipment in proper condition. Conversely, poorly maintained equipment may lead to more frequent equipment failures, poor utilisation of equipment and delayed production schedules. Malfunctioning equipment may result in scrap or products of poor quality. Total productive maintenance (TPM) is one of the most popular concepts for improving process dependability (Nakajima 1988). It focuses on increasing the effectiveness of maintenance which is commonly measured by the overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). Ford Struandale Engine Plant (FSEP) applies lean manufacturing through its Ford Production System (FPS) which consists of twelve elements. One element of FPS is Ford Total Productive Maintenance (FTPM) with the objective to maximise the overall effectiveness of plant facilities, equipment, processes and tooling through the focused efforts of work groups and the elimination of the major losses associated with manufacturing equipment. The concern for FSEP management was that although FTPM is implemented, the OEE data revealed that equipment availability targets are not achieved. The researcher identified a gap to investigate the reasons for the poor performance. A literature study was conducted to search for relevant information on the subject. A questionnaire was constructed from the theoretical information and a survey was conducted. After data collection the results were captured and analysed. The researcher made conclusions based on the data and made recommendations. The main findings were that autonomous maintenance is not functioning well, spares management is not good and the Computerised Maintenance Management System is underutilised. The recommendations were that these issues must be addressed.
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Fokker, Cornelis Dirk. "Evaluating the automotive production development programme of the automotive component manufacturing industry: envisaged future interventions." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/15215.
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The automotive component manufacturer's (ACM's) operations are not sustainable due to their competitiveness, only determined by price. for ACM's to be competitive, effective government incentives in the automotive industry need to be present. The study was undertaken to provide a blueprint for change required in government incentives.
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Lingham, Nathan. "A knowledge management framework for automotive component manufactures in the Eastern Cape." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1592.
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It is estimated that each direct job in the automotive industry supports at least 5 indirect jobs in the global community, resulting in more than 50 million jobs to the global auto industry (Ellis, 2006). In South Africa the automotive sector, as an employer, is widely viewed to be second only to mining. In the automotive industry globally, it is being discovered that knowledge, as opposed to “data” or “information”, is becoming harder to locate as a knowledge-bleed is occurring due to the phenomenon of the “brain drain”, retirement of experienced professionals, changing work behaviours among the younger generations and the general lack of infusion of new talent into the South African automotive industry over the past decade (Liebowitz, 1999). This realisation has spawned a growing interest in the concept of knowledge management (KM). KM is the development of tools, processes, systems, structures and cultures explicitly to improve the creation, sharing and use of knowledge critical for decision making. The effective use of KM helps organisations to improve the quality of their decision making and correspondingly to reduce costs and increase efficiency (Kinicki and Kreitner, 2008). Most automotive Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) have made some attempt at KM initiatives, and these attempts have been well-documented. However, among the automotive component suppliers, limited evidence exists of attempts at KM (Piderit, 2007). No standard KM application framework could be established in the literature for industry practitioners in automotive component manufacturers within the Eastern Cape. The aim of this research study is therefore to develop a framework for the application of KM in automotive component manufacturers within the Eastern Cape. The research consisted of a study of the knowledge management literature and the subsequent development of a knowledge management framework and empirical evaluation of the framework in the automotive component supply industry of the Eastern Cape. In conclusion the report presents a knowledge management framework which converts a company assessment to recommended corrective actions to be implemented and also presents the author’s findings, conclusions and recommendations derived from the study.
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Hutton, Timothy Strathearn. "Development of a model of factors promoting team effectiveness in the automotive component industry." Thesis, Port Elizabeth Technikon, 2000. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/24.
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The research problem addressed in this study was to determine what makes a work team successful. To achieve this objective a theoretical model of factors promoting team effectiveness was developed, using relevant literature in which models for team effectiveness are described. The theoretical model consisted of the following factors: Individual background factors; Facilitation; Team Factors; Synergy; Team effectiveness; Organisational factors. Each factor of the model was broken down into dimensions that were then analysed using literature identified during the literature study. The theoretical model was then used to develop a questionnaire to test the degree to which managers working for automotive component manufacturers in the Port Elizabeth /Uitenhage magisterial district and falling under Chapter III of the Bargaining Council for the Motor Industry concur. The empirical results obtained indicate a strong concurrence with the theoretical model of factors promoting team effectiveness that was developed in the study. This resulted in the theoretical model being confirmed and being accepted as a model of factors promoting team effectiveness.
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Lott-Cupido, Terine. "Appreciative inquiry and change management in a selected automotive component factory in Cape Town, South Africa." Thesis, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11838/2355.
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Thesis (MTech (Human Resource Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.Globalisation has placed increased pressure on South African organisations to transform in order to compete against the world’s best. Low cost manufacturing countries such as India, China, Brazil, and Thailand pose a threat to businesses across a variety of sectors in South Africa. The prospects of failure are real, even more so in light of the current economic climate in which businesses operate, as competition is on the rise. In today’s world of work, change is constant and organisations are required to continually renew their business and practices in order to meet the evolving needs of their clients. An organisation’s inability to phase out strategies, policies, procedures and businesses that are no longer relevant may shorten the lifespan of the business. Successful management of organisational change processes is thus essential for survival in the global market. This research was prompted as a result of production line employees being resistant to the implementation of new work procedures between 2013 and 2014, with the result of low commitment to change, at a selected medium sized automotive component manufacturer in Cape Town, South Africa. Traditional change management considers fixing problems and may be outdated, especially in light of the introduction of Appreciative Inquiry (AI). AI is a structured change intervention that uses positively directed questions. AI attempts to involve people to share their experiences of what worked well in the past in order to create a shared vision and an action plan that can be implemented to realise their set vision. AI has created a shift in thinking in change management, as it seeks to find the positive, whilst creating hope and a sense of triumph over past victories.
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Nitschke, Christian. "Outsourcing vs. insourcing in the automotive industry : the role and concepts of suppliers." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/50411.
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Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University 2005.Some digitised pages may appear illegible due to the condition of the original hard copy
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The research report takes an in-depth look at the automotive industry and their major participants in the upstream value chain. The different parties involved are the automotive manufacturers (OEMs) and their suppliers. The overall goal of the following report is to identify suitable business models for small to medium sized (SME) automotive suppliers. As the automotive value chain currently undergoes an evolutionary change towards a diminishing vertical integration of the OEMs, it becomes a challenging issue to reconfigure the responsibilities of the suppliers. Thereby OEMs and their suppliers have to cope with a shift from a functional to a process orientated value chain. During this reorganization of the OEM-supplier interface, enterprises realign their strategic intent towards their core competencies as well. Besides the shifting value chain, both suppliers and OEMs have to cope with a consolidation in their industries. This consolidation is impacted by stagnating traditional markets, an ongoing globalization of the value chain, and an increasing productivity pressure in the automotive industry. Looking at the automotive supplier, it becomes obvious that the suppliers are on the one hand challenged by productivity pressures and on the other hand have the opportunity to take over more business of the automotive value chain. The growth potential requires changes in the area of supply chain management and new types of collaboration in the supply network. This prospective development is mainly influenced by a trend towards the outsourcing of entire processes by the OEMs and the increasing need for future innovations in the automotive industry. After discussing the above mentioned issues, the report analyses the role of suppliers with respect to their main customers, the automotive OEMs. Based on the findings business models for suppliers are assessed and key success factors for small to medium sized suppliers are proposed and evaluated. The findings of the evaluation are translated into suggestions for most suitable business models of SMEs. The report concludes with recommendations for the strategy building process indicates problems concerning the shifting value chain, and points out the importance of further research in the field of the small to medium sized automotive supplier industry.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studieverslag ondersoek die motorvoertuig industrie met verwysing na die hoof deelnemers 'n die opwaartse waarde-ketting. Die partye betrokke is die motorvoertuigvervaardigers (OEMs) asook hul verskaffers. Die oorhoofse doel van die verslag is om gepaste sakeplanne vir klein en medium grootte (SME) ondernemings te identifiseer. Die motorvoertuig industrie se waardeketting ervaar tans 'n drastiese veranderingsproses - gekenmerk deur afnemende vertikale integrasie vanaf die OEMs - wat voortdurende nuwe uitdagings veroorsaak vir die innoverende verskaffer. Beide die OEMs en hul verskaffers moet dus aanpas met hierdie verandering - van funksioneel na proses-georienteerd - in die waarde-ketting. Tydens hierdie herstrukturering van OEM-verskaffer interaksie, moet deelnemers verseker dat die strategiese bedoeling in fyn ooreenstemming is met hul basiese bevoegdhede. Behalwe die verskuiwing in die waardeketting, moet OEMs asook verskaffers aanpas met samesmelting in hulle industrieë. Hierdie proses van samesmelting word beinvloed deur kwynende konvensionele markte, voortgesette globalisasie van die waardeketting, asook toenemende druk om produktief te wees in die motorvoertuig-industrie. 'n Ondersoek in motorvoertuig industrie verskaffers toon dat daar enersyds geweldige uitdagings ervaar word soverre dit produktiwiteitverbetering betref, maar andersyds daar ook geleendhede gebied word vir die verskaffer om verder te integreer deur oornames in die waarde-ketting. Om groei potensiaal te verwesenlik noodsaak dit veranderinge in die veld van verskaffingskettingbestuur, asook nuwe metodes van samewerking in die verskaffingsnetwerk. Hierdie moontlike tendens van integrasie word hoofsaaklik beinvloed deur 'n geneigdheid van OEMs om volledige prosesse te sub-kontrakteur asook deur die toenemende aanvraag vir voortdurende innovering in die motorvoertuig industrie. Laastens ondersoek die verslag die rol van die verskaffer vanuit die oogpunt van hul hoof kliënte, die OEMs. Na aanleiding van die verslag se bevindings word verskaffers se sakeplanne en modelle beoordeel en evalueer en word sleutel suksesfaktore vir die SME verskaffer voorgestel. Die uitslae van die evaluasie word verder verwerk tot in voorstelle wat gepas is vir die sakeplanne van meeste SMEs. Die verslag kom tot voltrekking met aanbevelings in die strategie bouproses rakende die veranderende waardeketting, en dui ook op die noodsaaklikheid van verdere navorsing onder die SME motorvoertuig industrie verskaffers.
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Mund, Klaudia. "Tailoring a lean product development framework for the South African automotive industry." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1015737.
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Globalization in the automotive industry exerts enormous pressure on automotive manufacturers and forces many global companies to expand into emerging markets, which results in adopting new ways to manage product design and development. Excellence in product design and development offers an opportunity to gain competitive advantage and can be achieved by implementing Toyota´s Lean Product Development System (LPDS). Although in the last three years Toyota has been severely challenged by the global economic crisis, by a series of recalls resulting in reputation damage and also by natural disasters such as the recent tsunamis - the world can still learn from Toyota´s successes embodied in the lean concept and practices, which are integral to Toyota´s ‘way of life’. The LPDS model (Morgan & Liker 2006) has captured the attention of academics worldwide (including this researcher) thanks to the following key characteristics: shorter development times, less engineering hours involved in development, lower manufacturing costs, higher customer satisfaction and fewer defects reported. In the academic world, lean product development (LPD) is a new field of exploration and thus relevant literature and numbers of studies available are limited. However, scientists are asking questions about successful adaptation and adoption of this model to other environments beyond Toyota. Similarly, the researcher aimed in this thesis to find answers to its main research question, namely: ‘What would be a suitable LPD model for the South African automotive industry?’ South Africa (SA) is a country with a strong manufacturing tradition and although the automotive sector is the third-largest segment in the South African economy and its vehicle market is the largest on the African continent in a global perspective SA´s contribution is relatively small as it produces only 0.61percent of the global motor vehicle volume (OICA 2011). While the country strives to secure sustainable development for the automotive industry and seeks to improve its global competitiveness, companies operating in SA are currently faced with several unique challenges and problems. Lean has been expanding slowly in SA and some companies in the local automotive industry have implemented the lean concept into production areas to improve their operational excellence and performance. However, it is a search for excellence in product development (PD) that could best contribute to improved sustainability for the automotive industry and also provide an important strategic spur towards global competitiveness. The primary intention of this research was to develop an integrated LPD framework tailored for SA´s automotive industry. Considering this, it was necessary to determine current PD capabilities at domestic and international companies operating in SA´s automotive industry so as to examine levels of adaptation of LPD practices. A questionnaire survey and personal interviews involving all seven locally operating Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), including Toyota, as well as 36 local automotive suppliers provided an empirical base for this investigation. This study indicates that SA plays an important supportive role in the global PD context. In spite of a strong manufacturing focus and very limited PD capabilities, SA´s automotive companies have already achieved a high level of ‘leanness’ in product engineering processes. However, on the downside, it appears that industry leaders and senior managers are sceptical about current and future capabilities and opportunities for SA in the designing and developing of global products.
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Van, der Westhuyzen Margaretha. "Managing China's entry into the South African automotive industry." Thesis, Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/8586.
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Thesis (MBA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2009.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The South African automotive industry has enjoyed unsurpassed growth over the past 15 years and the majority of its successes are attributable to the efforts of the Motor Industry Development Plan (MIDP). Unfortunately, the MIDP cannot be a permanent solution for accelerating growth and the longevity of industry role players such as vehicles and component manufacturers is of great concern. The Chinese automotive industry on the other hand is booming and millions of vehicles are churned out annually. Internal market forces, overproduction and government initiatives compel Chinese manufacturers to cross the Chinese borders in search of alternative and mostly less developed markets for their motor vehicles. These vehicles can now be found in most African countries south of the Sahara, including various brands on the South African roads. South Africa's roads accommodate almost a hundred models against which the Chinese vehicles need to compete. What is attractive about the Chinese vehicles is their price, but unfortunately the vehicle quality is not up to standard yet. Chinese vehicles have however improved so much over the past few years that it is expected they will soon be able to compete with well-established local brands such as Toyota, Volkswagen, Honda, etc. Although the price tag of these vehicles is increasing the mobility of the average South African consumer, the effect it might have on the existing automotive market is uncertain as the Chinese vehicle has already proven to gain market share in a declining economy. So where the average consumer will benefit from the Chinese vehicle, the industry workforce might not be so lucky. It is thus crucial for the industry to establish ways to create international dependence on South Africa's automotive industry. The opportunities are endless and various management approaches can be taken to leverage the industry's shortfalls. A serious shortfall is the global shortage of innovators and as South Africa is known as one of the most innovative countries in the world, it could easily gear itself in supplying innovating concepts and leading-edge technology to the global industry. To be able to do so successfully requires a concerted effort of all role players in the local industry. The local industry needs to expand its reach into the world to guarantee its longevity. Possible ways of doing so are to increase the level of value-adding activities and so too the exportation of value-adding components and fully built-up vehicles. By proving itself as a value-adding strategic partner, the industry can attract additional global manufacturers to invest in manufacturing facilities in South Africa, which does not exclude Chinese manufacturers. Last but not least, the South African government needs to develop a manageable instrument with a single objective, which is to grow and sustain an internationally competitive automotive industry in order to attract and keep global investors within the industry and the country.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Suid-Afrikaanse motorindustrie het ongekende groei ervaar oor die afgelope 15 jaar en die suksesse daarvan word grotendeels toegeskryf aan die Motor Industrie Ontwikkelings Plan (MIDP). Ongelukkig kan die MIDP nie die permanente oplossing wees om die groei van die industrie aan te hou stimuleer en versnel nie. Die toekomstige lewensvatbaarheid van huidige spelers in die industrie wek egter groot kommer. Die Chinese motorindustrie aan die ander kant bars uit sy nate en miljoene motors word jaarliks vervaardig. So is dit ook dat interne markkragte, oorproduksie en regeringsinisiatiewe Chinese motorvervaardigers dwing om oor hul grense heen te gaan op soek na ander, minder ontwikkelde markte vir hul motors. Hierdie motors kan nou in meeste Afrika lande suid van die Sahara gevind word en sluit in talle modelle op Suid-Afrikaanse paaie. Die Suid-Afrikaanse paaie akkommodeer tans amper 'n honderd motormodelle teen wie die Chinese motors sal moet kompeteer. Wat egter aantreklik is van hierdie motors is hul prys, maar ongelukkig is die kwaliteit nog nie op standaard nie. Chinese motors het egter oor die jare so verbeter dat dit verwag kan word dat hul binnekort met meer bekende make soos Toyota, Volkswagen en Honda sal kan kompeteer. Alhoewel die besonderse prys van die motors die mobiliteit van die gemiddelde Suid Afrikaanse verbruiker verhoog, is die effek daarvan op die huidige motormark onseker omdat Chinese motors alreeds bewys het dat hut markaandeel kan wen in 'n dalende ekonomie. So waar die gemiddelde verbruiker mag bevoordeel word deur die Chinese voertuig, kan die werkersmag in die huidige motorindustrie nie so gelukkig daaraantoe wees nie. Dit is dus van kardinale belang dat die industrie maniere vestig om internasionale afhanklikheid van Suid-Afrika se motorindustrie te kweek. Die geleenthede is legio en talle invalshoeke kan geneem word om die industrie se tekortkominge te bestuur en uit te balanseer. 'n Belangrike tekortkoming is die globale tekort aan innoveerders en omdat Suid-Afrika gesien word as een van die mees innoverende lande ter wereld, kan die industrie maklik voorberei word om innoverende konsepte en baanbrekerstegnologie aan die globale industrie te verskaf. Om so iets suksesvol te doen het egter die gesamentlike insette nodig van alle rolspelers in die Suid-Afrikaanse motorindustrie. So ook het die industrie dit nodig om sy wereldwye impak te vergroot om sodoende sy lewensvatbaarheid te vergroot. Moontlike maniere om dit te vermag is om die aantal waardetoevoegende aktiwiteite te vergroot asook die uitvoere van waardetoevoegende komponente en klaarvervaardigde voertuie. As die industrie hom self kan bewys as 'n strategiese vennoot wat waarde toevoeg, kan die industrie addisionele internasionale vervaardigers aantrek om te investeer in vervaardigingsfasiliteite in Suid-Afrika, wat natuurlik nie Chinese vervaardigers uitsluit nie. Ten laaste is dit nodig vir die Suid-Afrikaanse regering om 'n bestuursinstrument te ontwikkel met een doel voor oe en dit is om die industrie se internasionale kompeterendheid te bevorder en te behou sodat globale investeerders in die industrie en Suid-Afrika in geheel kan investeer.
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Bailey, Peter John. "Organisational commitment in the automotive industry : a comparative study of employment contracts." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1014664.
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Organisations face many obstacles in maintaining high quality standards and enhancing their competitive positions. It is not just the external factors, such as market fluctuations, but also internal obstacles, that have an effect on the competitiveness of organisations. Most of the internal factors are the result of poor management practices such as insufficient employee development paths, lack of mentorship programmes or job insecurity which results in the poor performance and commitment levels of employees. However employees are more willing to provide efficient and effective practices if they are committed to the organisation. A committed workforce can be created through many practices. Some of these practices include, creating an environment where employees feel as though they are part of the organisation and that their actions directly influence the success of the organisation (Kingston 2007); building long lasting and fair relationships between staff and supervisors (Manetje 2009:50); providing partial organisational ownership for employees through employee share ownership schemes (Employee share ownership plan guidelines 2007:3); creating an organisation structure which binds employees and groups together and removes bureaucratic practices (Brooks 2009:190) and creating management styles that encourage employee involvement (Manetje 2009:51) Unfavourable conditions within the economy are not making it any easier for organisations to become more competitive. Organisations have had to downsize, restructure and transform in order to cut costs as the demands for goods and services slowed down. However, these practices have resulted in an insecure work environment for employees and have posed complex challenges for management. (Coetzee 2005). Employment contracts have therefore become popular tools for managing economic downturns. Organisations opt for more temporary staff so as to easily reduce headcount when costs need to be lowered. Employment contracts give organisations the advantage of flexibility which is a key area for success in turbulent business environments (Krausz, Bizman & Braslavsky 2001:302). Previous research on temporary contracts has revealed lower commitment levels of staff than other types of contracts such as permanent and fixed-term contracts (Guest 2004:12). Therefore, there needs to be a balance between various employment contracts; a balance which brings out the best in organisational performance. The different types of employment contracts are also important tools to use to enhance commitment within the organisation. For that reason, it is essential to understand the linkage between the types of contracts and organisational commitment and whether certain contracts result in higher levels of organisational commitment. The primary objective of the study is to identify factors which influence organisational commitment as well as to investigate whether organisational commitment and the different types of employment contracts can increase employee motivation and job involvement within the automotive industry environment. Given the primary objective of the study, a quantitative research paradigm was followed in testing the relevant hypotheses. A five-point Likert scale questionnaire was conducted to gather empirical data from the respondents employed within the automotive industry. The target population of the study was the employees within the automotive industry (Volkswagen of South Africa). A convenience sampling technique was used to distribute the questionnaires and the researcher made use of both manual hand-outs and an online system called the Survey Monkey to gather the data. The sample was restricted to 260 respondents. The main findings of this study revealed that the dimensions, workplace culture, job security, career development and personality were statistically significant and had a positive influence on organisational commitment. Workplace culture proved to be the most significant positive influence on organisational commitment. Thus, if an organisation adjusts this dimension to better suit the employees, the result could be an enhanced level of employee commitment. On the other hand, management style and mentoring were found to be the least important in influencing organisational commitment in the automotive industry. Furthermore, the results illustrated a significant positive relationship between organisational commitment and the dependent variables, employee motivation and job involvement. The study also identified the link between employment contracts and organisational commitment, job involvement and employee motivation. However, a statistically significant relationship only existed between employment contracts and job involvement. Thus the different types of contracts have an effect on the level of employee involvement within an organisation. The implications of the findings are that organisations within the automotive industry should focus on areas that have a substantially greater impact on organisational commitment. These areas include workplace culture, job security, personality and career development. Organisations thus need to find methods or processes which facilitate the development of these areas. In order for organisations to move from good to great, a workforce that is committed to the goals and objectives is required.
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Williams, Dion Williams. "Evaluation of critical factors influencing project success at an automotive OEM in the Eastern Cape." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021121.
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This study aimed to evaluate the critical factors influencing project success at an automotive OEM in the Eastern Cape. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the critical success/failure factors in project management at an automotive original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and to compare the results to similar studies conducted in various industries and under different socio-economic, political and cultural conditions. The research methodology for this study included a literature review of previous studies as well as insights from various authors highlighting points deemed crucial for project success. A survey was conducted at an automotive OEM to determine which factors had the greatest influence on project success; respondents were asked to rank their views on a Likert Ranking Scale. An online survey was used to capture all responses. The data collected was analysed using statistical software (Statistica Version 10.0). The empirical study was conducted on 52 employees involved in projects at the OEM; the study was carried out across various departments including Purchasing, Logistics, Quality, Engineering, etc. The final process of the study included an evaluation of findings. On the basis of the survey responses received, it was possible to identify critical success factors in project management that are related to the automotive OEM. These results were used to draw conclusions and develop various recommendations. The conclusions centered on the project success factors defined in the survey. The results were then compared to previous studies, and discrepancies between survey findings of the current study and those of past studies were discussed. The recommendations focused on the top three items identified in each factor group. The results of both past studies, as well as the present study highlight the crucial role the project manager plays in project success. Good co-ordination skills, efficient management of resources and effective leadership were identified as key characteristics of successful project managers. Proper communication was identified as one of the most crucial points in project teams. This study revealed that the ability of the project team to handle unexpected crisis is also an important contributing factor towards project success, along with effective monitoring. Top management support was the most crucial factor towards project success in the factors related to the organisation; this is similar to studies done by previous authors.
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Bocchi, Carlo. "The effects of assembly line-side supply on individuals employed in satellite operations within automotive manufacturers." Thesis, Port Elizabeth Technikon, 2001. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/56.
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The adoption of just-in-time in satellite operations within an automotive manufacturer, is rapidly becoming a trend within motor industry clusters. This type of organisation within an organisation adopts a lean structure to operate effectively and efficiently. The objective of this paper is to unveil factors which influence this type of workplace, particularly focusing on which factors which are relevant to Faurecia East London Plant. The literature study was used to illustrate the various theories relevant to manufacturing techniques, employee motivational and job satisfaction theories. The empirical study tested factors illustrated in the literature study. The empirical study was also to develop a specific model suitable for satellite organisations. The model presented together with the literature and empirical study was used to formulate findings and solve the main and sub-problems.
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Vorster, Malcolm William. "How technology can be applied to support change management best practices in the South African automotive industry." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4265.
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Organisations within the South African automotive industry (SAAI) are always seeking innovative ways to remain globally competitive. In order to keep costs as low as possible, existing facilities are often adapted to either cater for a wider variety of products or, alternatively, to produce larger volumes than they were originally designed to produce. In every instance, some form of change needs to take place. When the change management processes are defined within the system, quick wins need to be identified. These quick wins may include the elimination of non-valueadding time that is spent moving paper work between offices or ensuring the correct checks are in place to prevent the process from moving to the next step until all the requirements for the current steps have been completed. Technology has been identified as a suitable support mechanism that would be able to integrate into the complex system that comprises processes to be followed in an order that can be predefined. Every organisation faces its own unique challenges when technology is introduced. These can include a lack of computer literacy and the unwillingness to accept that change can in fact benefit the organisation. Getting the users to take ownership of the new systems through comprehensive training initiatives will be shown to be the most effective manner in which to ensure that the systems are effective and used to their full potential. This treatise will investigate the change management systems currently being used in the SAAI and compare the most important factors against the perceived best practices of the resources that are involved in change management. Organisations that operate at various levels within the SAAI will be researched. A literature review of the best practices in change management systems combined with an investigation into how technology can assist in supporting these best practices will be conducted. The findings will then be summarised and recommendations based on the collected data and information will be formulated and put forward.
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Poisat, Paul. "The assessment of first-line management competencies at a selected automotive manufacturer using a recognition of prior learning approach." Thesis, Port Elizabeth Technikon, 2001. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41.
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This research addresses the problem of determining which managerial competencies first-line managers operating in a world class organisation should have. To achieve this objective a three-step method was followed. Firstly, an approach had to be found for the assessment of managerial competencies at the selected organisation involved in the research project. A comprehensive literature survey was conducted in an attempt to establish an approach and identify management competencies for first-line managers. Secondly, the recognition of prior learning (RPL) approaches appropriate to first-line managers were investigated and synthesized with the managerial competence approach of step one. Finally, the managerial competencies were assessed utilising the matrix of managerial competence instrument developed in accordance with the findings of the research. The information obtained from the literature study and from the candidates who were assessed resulted in various findings and recommendations. Using the matrix of managerial competence instrument, it was found that the majority of first-line managers at the organisation were competent. Notwithstanding this finding, a major recommendation is that the organisation should become more future and development orientated in its training strategy. Finally, the research project has created the foundation for the development of a managerial competency model at the selected organisation. Findings of the literature survey and development of the RPL instrument provide guidelines for future RPL initiatives, both at the selected organisation and at the Port Elizabeth Technikon.
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Camagu, Sibo. "Investigating factors that negatively influence lean implementation in the Eastern Cape automotive industry." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1360.
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In this intensely competitive environment of the global economy, the survival of even the most established manufacturers depends on their ability to continuously improve quality whilst reducing costs. The resulting productivity of producing more with less is the only key to market leadership and sustainable competitive advantage. Changing production methods from mass-production to Lean Manufacturing has become the essential practise for successful manufacturers (Rogers and Sim, 2009). The purpose of this study is to investigate what factors negate the adoption and implementation of Lean Manufacturing as a means to gain competitive advantage. The focus was on companies that have participated in the AIDC Tirisano cluster programme. The study investigated what effect Organisational Culture, Leadership Behaviours, Employee Involvement and Strategy Integration have on Lean Manufacturing adoption and implementation. This study applied the mixed methodologies of qualitative and quantitative approaches using methodological triangulation. A cross sectional analytical survey approach in a descriptive case study was undertaken. The findings from the questions and the interviews from the respondents who participated in the survey indicated that the practices in some companies enable the successful adoption and implementation of Lean Manufacturing whilst in some others the practices will negatively affect the adoption and implementation. The study concludes by stating that South African automotive component manufacturers are under immense pressure to improve quality and reduce costs. Initiatives like Lean Manufacturing should be undertaken in order to bring about these improvements. But this improvement comes about by changing the current way of doing things. Companies need to undertake a total approach when implementing Lean as part of the business strategy and this must be driven by management as leaders and a team culture that involves all employees needs to be present.
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Van, Aswegen Dawid Titus. "A proposed service quality framework for multi-national supply logistics providers in the South African automotive industry." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21307.
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Managing a sustainable service business rests on two critical customer perceptions: Firstly, the perceived sufficiency of the value of the service, and secondly the level of value differentiation between the current service provider other service providers in the market. (DeSarbo, Ebbs, Fong & Snow, 2010; Parasuraman & Grewal, 2000) The direction for this study was prompted by the limited research available around service quality for Supply Logistics within the global automotive industry. The study identified the key factors that logistics service providers need to focus on when aligning their perceptions of service quality to that of their customers. The service gaps between customer and service provider perceptions are uncovered. Particular focus was given to: The definition gaps in service quality, The perceived level of service quality, and The size of service quality differentiation between service providers. The key finding of the study is that service differentiation is influenced by the ability of the Logistics Service Provider (LSP) to deliver a quality of service in line with the level of importance the various elements hold to the customer. The causal relationships offered a step wise understanding of improving the perceptions of customers. This perception forming process is outlined as follows: Firstly, create a common understanding of the definition of service quality and establish the comparative importance of the various elements. Having an understanding of how customers’ value service quality is a critical first step in delivering superior service. A proposed Service Quality Framework for multi-national Supply Logistics providers in the South African automotive industry Secondly, align efforts to achieve in accordance to the level of importance of the service elements. If this is achieved, LSP’s will retain positive differentiation to its competitors irrespective of the actions of those competitors. Lastly, LSP’s need to regularly review if their own perception of the service level (per element) is in line with that of the customer. The study created a service quality framework of 22 different service elements grouped in four service factors. The relative importance of these elements were uncovered. This offered insight for organizing the business around key service elements. Within Supply Logistics the operational-management-tools, engineering-skills, processes-stability and management-structure are typical elements around which customers form their perceptions. The quality of the direct staff holds the key to sustained customer satisfaction, much more so than the commercial arrangements, industry innovations and the prestige of the brand behind the service. This study laid a foundation from which future research can deeper explore the unique slant that geographical, organisational designation or customer brand lines hold on the service quality perception.
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Mayer, Claude-Hélène. "Managing conflict across cultures, values and identities : a case study in the South African automotive industry /." Marburg : Tectum-Verl, 2008. http://eprints.ru.ac.za/1166/.
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Breitenbach, Nicolaas Gerhardus. "An investigation into the changing environment due to the globalisation process in the South African automotive industry in the 21st century." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2001. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/49689.
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Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2001.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The subject of globalisation has been widely publicised and studied over the last few years, specifically in the automotive industry where mergers, acquisitions and take-overs have set the trend for companies to become more involved in global operations. Even though this is such a widely studied subject internationally, there are significant differences between the international processes and the processes that the South African automotive industry will follow to become part of the global village. This is the result of the development of the automotive industry in South Africa during the isolation years. During the isolation period the international automotive industry underwent significant global changes owing to aggressive merger, acquisition and takeover activities. These activities were specifically aimed at positioning international manufacturers in new global markets, where they would become involved in the manufacturing of products in these new markets and then reselling them in their traditional markets, as well as opening these new markets for their traditional products. The isolation period also resulted in the South African market developing a strong and reliable supplier base to sustain the automotive manufacturers that elected to continue their operations in this country. An extensive literature study on globalisation is followed by a discussion of industry forces that will have a significant impact on the processes, procedures and strategies that a company will have to develop when it considers becoming global. The main focus of the literature study is the globalisation process and successful strategies to follow in order to become global. The rest of the study focuses on the internal and external influences and the internal struggles relating to a South African manufacturer that became part of its larger international namesake. The literature study acts as a guideline for the rest of the study. Some of the processes described and investigated in the literature study were not necessarily followed by the car manufacturer during its entrance into the global village, but did influence the strategies that the manufacturer established in order to be successful during this process. The study concluded on the ever-changing environment of the global village and the effects it has on the participants that are part of this environment. It gave specific attention to the success factors in the international automotive industry. In the recommendations a brief description is given of the future trends that a company would have to consider in order to remain in the global village. The focus is on e-commerce, management, strategy, supplier development and products.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die onderwerp van globalisering het in die verlede wye aandag getrek, spesifiek in die motorbedryf waar samesmeltings, uitkopings en oornames die tendens stel. Alhoewel dit 'n baie breë studie is, is daar noemenswaardige verskille tussen 'n maatskappy wat van nuuts af wil globaliseer en dié van 'n Suid-Afrikaanse motor vervaardiger wat 'n internationale moedermaatskappy het. Dit is hoofsaaklik as gevolg van die jare waartydens Suid-Afrika in isolasie verkeer het. Tydens die isolasie jare het die internasionale bedryf globaal verskeie veranderinge ondergaan as gevolg van agressiewe samesmeltings en oorname aktiwiteite. Hierdie aktiwiteite was spesifiek daarop gemik om die maatskappye beter globaal to posisioneer sodat beter produk verspreiding en produksie kan plaasvind. Die Suid-Afrikaanse mark het gedurende die tydperk meer daarop gekonsentreer om 'n beter verskaffer basis te ontwikkel om die plaaslike mark te bevredig. 'n Uitgebreide literatuurstudie, fokus op suksesvolle globaliserings beginsels wat ondersoek moet word voordat 'n maatskappy dit kan oorweeg om deel van die globale netwerk te word. Die literatuurstudie word gevolg deur 'n studie oor industrie spesifieke eksterne- en interne invloede, wat 'n impak sal hê op die ontwikkeling van globale prosesse vir 'n Suid-Afrikaanse motorvervaardiger. Die literatuurstudie word as 'n riglyn gebruik vir die res van die studie. AI die prosesse in die literatuurstudie word nie noodwendig deur die gekose vervaardiger gebruik nie, maar kan 'n invloed uitoefen op die besluite wat deur die vervaardiger gemaak word. Die gevolgtrekking skenk aandag aan die suksesfaktore wat die toekoms van die Suid-Afrilaanse vervaardiger in die globale samelewing sal bepaal. Die aanbevelings konsentreer op die aanhoudende veranderinge, tegnologies en nie-tegnologies, wat in die globale samelewing plaasvind. Daar word kortliks beskryf hoe die vervaardiger die veranderinge tot sy voordeel kan gebruik. Die velde van verandering waarop gekonsentreer word is "ecommerce", bestuur, strategie, verskaffer ontwikkeling en produk ontwikkeling.
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Antony, Albin. "Fault tree analysis for automotive pressure sensor assembly lines." Diss., Online access via UMI:, 2006.
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Thesis (M.S.)--State University of New York at Binghamton, Thomas J. Watson School of Engineering and Applied Science, Systems Science and Industrial Engineering Department, 2006.Includes bibliographical references.
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Poonoosamy, Sareesha. "An investigation into the organisational attributes of an employer of choice: a South African automotive industry perspective." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21615.
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The automotive industry in South Africa is now more than ever before, facing a new era of intense international competition and as a means to survive; organisations are continuously searching for ways to increase their competitiveness. To this end, recent approaches have focussed on the role that people perform in bringing about competitive advantage and has resulted in greater emphasis being placed on the attraction as well as retention of the right people to achieve organisational success. However, developing trends such as changes in the supply of workers, expectations of new generations and a more diverse population have pressurised organisations to institutionalise a dynamic solution. This has placed greater imperative on becoming an employer of choice - those organisations that can differentiate their human resource practices from the competition in order to attract, develop and retain the people they need. The research problem that was addressed in this study is to identify and investigate the organisational attributes of an employer of choice. A comprehensive literature review was executed to review the various definitions, trends impacting as well as the significance of the status - employer of choice. Furthermore strategies for becoming an employer of choice were evaluated and prominent employer of choice attributes identified from the literature. The researcher has also found that a significant number of authors have suggested employer branding as a key strategy in the effort to become an employer of choice. The concept of employer branding was therefore extensively explored in this study. An empirical study was conducted after the appropriate measuring instrument was developed. The purpose of the measuring instrument was to validate the literature findings, identify the rank importance of the identified attributes and to evaluate the extent to which these factors are provided for in the organisation. A sample consisting of 110 employees were selected to participate in the survey via a random sampling method and a response rate of 89% or 98 employees was obtained. The major findings indicated that the sample group agreed that the prominent attributes in literature are important attributes of an employer of choice. Overall the majority of the sample group does not regard the organisation as an employer of choice and while some of the attributes were present in the organisation, others had serious shortcomings. The literature findings together with the empirical study findings resulted in the development of a strategic model to serve as a guide in determining the initiatives the organisation should embark upon to become an employer of choice.
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Mayer, Claude-Hélène. "Managing conflict across cultures, values and identities: a case study in the South African automotive industry." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002790.
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Over the past fifty years, interest in the field of conflict management and peacekeeping has developed worldwide. During the same time, the potential for trans-ultural) conflict has escalated. This can mainly be attributed to the trend towards globalisation, as well as the growing complexity of societies increasingly experiencing more intercultural encounters or cultural transition situations and work-related or organisational conflicts. Cultural transition situations occur in the South African international automotive industry where the emergence of international co-operation, such as joint ventures (driven by globalisation) and new diversity management trends, have changed the way business is conducted. Due to these changes, employees of diverse origins with different cultures, values and identities work together, experiencing work-related conflicts. The purpose of this study was to assess managerial perspectives on conflict, identity and values, as well as on how (trans-cultural) conflict is managed in a selected international organisation in the South African automotive industry. The contribution of this study is twofold, namely to increase the understanding of the complexities of conflict in organisations; and to provide recommendations for conflict resolution strategies to manage (trans-cultural) conflict constructively by considering the values and identity aspects of those individuals involved. This study comprises a single explanatory case study which made use of qualitative data collection and analysis to investigate managerial perspectives on conflict, identity and values, as well as the management thereof, in the selected international organisation in the South African automotive context. Based on the main findings from this case study, it could be concluded that managers with diverse backgrounds experience work-related conflicts which are related to value and identity concepts in the selected organisation. The conflicts experienced fell into the categories of Communication and Treatment, Position and Competition, Organisation and Race and Gender.An overview of the occurrence frequency of value statements revealed that equality, communication and respect were the most commonly indicated values in conflicts. These value concepts include sub-concepts such as: · for equality: race, gender and human equality; · for communication: open, personal, free, decent, calm and proactive communication; and · for respect: mutual respect for self and others. With regard to value concepts and according to value domains of Schwartz (1994) and Schwartz and Bilsky (1987), the value dimensions of selftranscendence comprised the highest number of value statements. This dimension included the value domains of universalism and benevolence. Conflict in the data material was interlinked with identity. The extracts, based on the key words of the identity factors, demonstrated that the identity factors were related to either a weakening or strengthening effect on identities. Social and identity multiplicity in managers provides creativity spaces and flexibility in cases of strong identity patterns. Particularly with weak identities, the existence of conflict potentials could lead to complex conflicts and challenges in conflict management. Communication was most often mentioned as important to successful conflict resolution management and included examples such as round-table talks, smooth communication, face-to-face communication and room meetings. Communication was followed in frequency by strategies of internal intervention, which included the use of the formal structure of the organisation to resolve conflicts.
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Waddington, Andrew John. "Investigating the impact of brand reputation on brand architecture strategies : a study on a South African automotive company." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002796.
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The brand architecture of an organisation has become increasingly important to global management and marketing professionals, as it deals with structures and designs of brands which are constantly influenced by a changing environment. The market realities and changes brands face continuously impact the reputation of the brand, which is critical to sustain competitive advantage. The primary purpose of the study was to investigate the impact brand reputation has on brand architecture strategies, and an automotive company was chosen as the focus of the research. This research aims to help managers, marketers and brand owners make informative decisions regarding the brand architecture of a company. A quantitative content analysis methodology was used along with a webpage keyword counting application (WebWords). The application was used based on the principles outlined by Corporate Brand and Reputation Analysis (COBRA), which uses a four step progressive filtering process in filtering traditional and consumer generated media. The results from WebWords were then aligned to the brand architecture strategies from the brand relationship spectrum (BRS) to gain insight as to which of the strategies from the BRS were most vulnerable to reputational damage. The study found that the branded house and sub-brand strategies were most vulnerable to reputational damage based on the number reputational hits received. The connection between the master brand and the sub-brands could cause both brands to be affected should any reputational issues arise.
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Sorensen, Daniel Schäfer Henry. "Automotive development process a real options analysis /." Wiesbaden : Deutscher Universitäts-Verlag, 2006. http://site.ebrary.com/id/10231855.
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MacCleary, Jared. "Foreign direct investment in America's automotive industry." Oxford, Ohio : Miami University, 2006. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc%5Fnum=miami1165961770.
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Belecheanu, Roxana Andreea. "An investigation of design trade offs in the automotive industry." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 2003. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.275308.
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Yan, Mengmeng. "A comparative analysis of the U.S. and Chinese automotive financial service industry." View electronic thesis, 2008. http://dl.uncw.edu/etd/2008-3/r3/yanm/mengmengyan.pdf.
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Sorensen, Daniel. "The automotive development process a real options analysis /." Wiesbaden : Dt. Univ.-Verl, 2006. https://www.lib.umn.edu/slog.phtml?url=http://www.myilibrary.com?id=134363.
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REIS, AUGUSTO DA CUNHA. "PRODUCT VARIETY MANAGEMENT IN AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY WORLDWIDE." PONTIFÍCIA UNIVERSIDADE CATÓLICA DO RIO DE JANEIRO, 2009. http://www.maxwell.vrac.puc-rio.br/Busca_etds.php?strSecao=resultado&nrSeq=13389@1.
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CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOA proliferação da variedade de produtos é uma tendência em diferentes indústrias e se constitui em um assunto com crescente relevância para o mundo empresarial e acadêmico. A gestão dessa variedade deve buscar equilibrar os benefícios oriundos da perspectiva do marketing com os efeitos negativos provocados, em geral, pela perspectiva de operações e logística. Assim, tal gestão se torna um grande desafio para indústrias em que a variedade de produtos é elevada, como a automobilística. O presente trabalho é um estudo empírico que tem como objetivo quantificar, comparar e analisar o comportamento da variedade de produtos nos mais significativos mercados automobilísticos mundiais. Como objeto de estudo, utilizou-se automóveis de passeio fabricados pelos cinco maiores grupos de montadoras (Toyota, GM, Volkswagen, Ford e Honda) e como variáveis da variedade de produtos na indústria automobilística, considerou-se plataformas, marcas, modelos, versões, tipos de carrocerias, motorização, transmissão (power, trains), pintura e acabamento interno (paint & trim), opcionais de fábrica (factory fitted options) e acessórios de concessionárias (factory fitted options). Como resultado, verificou-se em que ponto da cadeia automotiva ocorre a proliferação de produtos e analisou-se a forma distinta com que esta variedade é gerida em diferentes mercados a jusante da cadeia e a partir da fábrica de automóveis.
Product variety is a trend in many different industries and it is a subject with an increasing relevance to the business and academic arena. The management of product variety must seek to balance the benefits from the marketing perspective with the negative effects, in general, from the operations and logistics perspective, thus becoming a major challenge for industries where product variety is higher, such as the auto industry. This master`s dissertation is an empirical study that aims to quantify, compare and analyze the behavior of the variety of products in the most significant global automobile markets. Passenger cars manufactured by the five largest groups of automakers in the world (Toyota, GM, Volkswagen, Ford and Honda) and variables of product variety in the auto industry such as platforms, brands, models, versions, body type, power-trains, paint & trim, factory fitted options and dealer fitted options were used as objects of study. As a result, it was verified in which point of the supply chain the proliferation of automotive products occurs and the distinct way in which this variety is managed is analyzed in different markets downstream the chain from the car factory.
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Jiménez, Hernández Angel Mário. "Design for manufacturing systems from automotive industry perspective." To access this resource online via ProQuest Dissertations and Theses @ UTEP, 2007. http://0-proquest.umi.com.lib.utep.edu/login?COPT=REJTPTU0YmImSU5UPTAmVkVSPTI=&clientId=2515.
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Vázquez, Astorga Gabriel. "A hybrid approach to enhance an automotive manufacturing process using QFD & VSM techniques." To access this resource online via ProQuest Dissertations and Theses @ UTEP, 2008. http://0-proquest.umi.com.lib.utep.edu/login?COPT=REJTPTU0YmImSU5UPTAmVkVSPTI=&clientId=2515.
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Cavalcante, Camila Ferraz Peixoto. "Protectionism and the productivity of the automotive industry in Brazil." Master's thesis, NSBE - UNL, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10362/9581.
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A Work Project, presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Economics from the NOVA – School of Business and EconomicsThis work project provides evidence on the positive effect of trade liberalization on productivity growth in the Brazilian automotive industry. I use data before and after trade liberalization. The positive effect of trade liberalization found here supports the idea that the adoption of higher tariffs on imports in this sector is not justified. This idea is also supported by the fact that production increased since trade liberalization. Higher tariffs on imports of vehicles are one of the measures of the recently announced plan Brasil Maior. According to the results found here, the effect of this new protectionist measure might be the loss of productivity and efficiency of the industry in the long run and the supply of expensive products in the domestic market.
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Song, Xiaoxuan. "Automotive industry marketing channels : conflicts and solutions." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/117943.
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Thesis: S.M. in Management Studies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, 2018.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 79-80).
In the dynamic market, manufacturers constantly seek for optimal channel alignment for maximizing the channel benefits, which needs joint efforts by both manufacturer and channel partners. Driven by their own interests, dealers act very differently in the marketing channel cooperation. To motivate dealers to behave in a more cooperative way, the marketing channel incentive system is commonly used as the most effective tool. However, aiming at maintaining a high marketing channel efficiency in the dynamic market, OEMs need to develop good internal controls and a more scientific approach in adjusting dealer marketing target. In this paper, current channel marketing status in automotive industry will be introduced, conflicts in the marketing channel cooperation will be identified, channel stakeholders will be analyzed to identify the key influencing factors and build a more reasonable MERT adjusting methodology, and finally, recommendations will be provided for manufacturer's in-house executives.
by Xiaoxuan Song.
S.M. in Management Studies
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Shimizu, Norihito 1971. "Analysis of automotive telematics industry in Japan." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/17879.
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Thesis (S.M.M.O.T.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, Management of Technology Program, 2004.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 65-66).
A major element of mobile multimedia, telematics is the convergence of telecommunication and information technology which provides various services to and from the vehicle or mobile communication devices. Telematics is also a new technology which accelerates the rate of technological evolution in the automotive electronics industry. Similar to the United States and Europe, Japan is one of the nations which have advanced automotive technologies. Japanese telematics, however, doesn't have a long history. On the other hand, Japan has unique business circumstances such as highly developed mobile communication technology and contents business. The purpose of this study is to unlock the industrial structure and dynamics of the telematics industry in Japan. In addition, providing indications for building business strategies for telematics players such as automakers, auto suppliers and other industries is another objective. According to the "clockspeed" analysis, telematics clockspeed is much faster than that of automobiles. This situation creates a boundary called clockspeed collision between these two industries. Clockspeed collision will increase market pressure on automakers to provide updated electronic features and to reduce exposure of obsolescence. Clockspeed collision will also significantly affect the business strategies that each player involved in the telematics industry must consider. Value chain analysis illustrates that the telematics industry has a horizontally disintegrated structure. Also the fact that automakers have advantages in the industry is presented. In such situation, the "business double helix" explains that automakers' advantages will be unstable in the future. Namely, the supplier sector in the industry will have significant
(cont.) power. My research shows that telematics industry has already started to move toward a much more vertically integrated structure. These analyses lead to conclusions that each player in the telematics industry must recognize a principle of temporary advantage and that the automotive industry is moving from automobile production to maximizing customer's LTV (Life Time Value).
by Norihito Shimizu.
S.M.M.O.T.
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Zhao, Yue. "Alliance Networks Management: A Study of Global Automotive Industry." FIU Digital Commons, 2018. https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/3756.
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This dissertation studies the importance of alliance networks on firms’ behavior and performance outcomes in the context of the global automotive industry. The first essay examines the importance of alliance networks positions on the persistence of an innovation advantage for a firm. The results contribute to our understanding of network advantages and network structure persistence over time. Building upon network theory, I found that network prominence facilitates the persistence of an innovation advantage over time as network prominence supports a firm’s continuous innovation and can effectively impede imitation by competitors. Conversely, network density and brokerage are negatively associated with the persistence of an innovation advantage over time.
Drawn upon organization learning, knowledge transfer, and network literature, the second essay aims to uncover different combinations of a firm’s internal and external knowledge creation capabilities and knowledge transfer capabilities that lead to a firm’s superior innovation performance within different environments. Specifically, using a fuzzy set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) technique, I identified three possible solutions to a firm’s superior innovation performance. Results from the global automotive industry highlight that the novel knowledge recognition capability, represented by alliance network diversity and structural holes, play a critical role for firms to achieve superior innovation.
In the third essay, I explored how MNEs’ host country local network advantages can influence their subsequent entry strategies. Based on a study of 345 FDI entries in the U.S. market, I found that firms with a higher level of local network prominence are more likely to choose greenfield investments over acquisitions in their subsequent entries as local network prominence can facilitate firms’ local resource access and reduce the dependence on forming new cooperative modes in the host country. This study contributes to both the entry mode and network literature by showing the importance of firms’ network positions on their resource access and control in the process of internationalization.
In sum, the findings of this dissertation contribute to our understanding of alliance networks and alliance management by providing empirical evidence of the influence of alliance networks on firms’ behavior and performance outcomes.
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Makuwaza, Gwynneth Chandakaita. "Clustering as a strategy for manufacturing performance in the Eastern Cape Automotive industry." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2001. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002670.
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South Africa's current industrial policy focuses on the economy at two levels: a sectoral and spatial level. The former relates to the manner in which industrial policy is concentrating on particular sectors i.e. industrial clusters. This shift in industrial policy from targeting individual industries to an emphasis on industrial clusters, has complemented the change in focus to export promotion under trade policy. Furthermore, there has been increasing recognition of the need to improve industry performance and competitiveness in order to successfully implement export growth. Industry clusters are considered as having the potential to increase manufacturing performance and can provide the basis for sustainable competitive advantage for nations. Consequently the concept of industry clusters was introduced in South Africa in 1997. Because industry clusters are relatively new in South Africa, most of the cluster initiatives in various sectors of the economy are in their early stages of development. Nevertheless, some are already showing signs of potential success in increasing competitiveness in particular sectors. This thesis uses Porter's "diamond" framework apprdach to investigate whether clustering has improved the manufacturing performance of the motor industry in the Eastern Cape. International experience from both developed and developing countries will illustrate the potential of clustering as a powerful strategy in increasing manufacturing performance and consequently competitiveness. Ultimately this should lead to long-term economic development, especially if government adopts clusterbased economic development policies. Information from a survey conducted on both the motor vehicle assemblers and component suppliers is used in this study. The findings reveal that it is mainly the motor vehicle assemblers who have experienced some improvements in manufacturing performance. The components sector on the other hand has not experienced any such improvements. This thesis concludes with the recommendation that it is important to develop cluster policy as a broader and dynamic view of competition. The main emphasis under such policy would be a move from targeting particular industries and providing subsidies towards focusing attention to all clusters in the economy. To effectively apply such a policy requires the repositioning of national, local and provincial government in order to become more involved in regional development issues. Moreover, the various levels of government need to incorporate cluster policy into their competitive strategies.
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Fung, Ping Kuen. "Motor-trade industry in Macau." Thesis, University of Macau, 1995. http://umaclib3.umac.mo/record=b1636714.
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Oliinyk, Olesia. "Applying Hierarchical Feature Modeling in Automotive Industry." Thesis, Blekinge Tekniska Högskola, Sektionen för datavetenskap och kommunikation, 2013. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:bth-3820.
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Context. Variability management (VM) in automotive domain is a promising solution to reduction of complexity. Feature modeling, as starting point of VM, deals with analysis and representation of available features in terms of commonalities and variabilities. The work is done in the context of an automotive industry – Adam Opel AG. Objectives. This work studies the automotive specific problems with respect to feature modeling, investigates what decomposition and structuring approaches exist in literature, and which one of them satisfies the industrial requirements. The approach to feature modeling is synthesized, evaluated and documented. Methods. In this work a case study with survey and literature review is performed. Survey uses semi structured interview and workshops as data collection methods. Systematic review includes articles from Compendex, Inspec, IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital Library, Science Direct and Engineering Village. Approach selection is based on mapping requirements against discovered approaches and discussion with industry practitioner on the regular meetings. Evaluation is proposed according to Goal Question Metric paradigm. Results. The approach that can be followed in the case organization is described and evaluated. The reasoning behind feature modeling approach construction and selection can be generalized for other organizations as well. Conclusions. We conclude that there is no perfect approach that would solve all the problems connected to automotive software. However, structuring approaches can be complementary and while combining give a good results. Tool support that integrates into the whole development cycle is important, as the amount of information cannot be processed using simple feature modeling tools. There is a need for further investigation in both directions – tool support and structuring approaches. The tactics that are proposed here should be introduced in organizations and formally evaluated.Tel. +4917661965859
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Holz, Ru¨diger. "An investigation into offshoring and backshoring in the German automotive industry." Thesis, Swansea University, 2010. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.678668.
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Fonte, William Giacomo. "A de-proliferation methodology for the automotive industry." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1994. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/12064.
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Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, 1994, and Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 1994.Includes bibliographical references (p. 40).
by William Giacomo Fonte.
M.S.
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Saliji, Mohamed. "Effective inventory management in the automotive industry, a literature study." Thesis, Mälardalens högskola, Akademin för innovation, design och teknik, 2021. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:mdh:diva-54644.
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The automotive industry is characterized by the importance of its inventories and the diversity of these inventories. They are strategic key factors to ensure a short time to market. The effective management of such an important asset is vital to ensure the high competitiveness of car manufacturers. Stocks immobilize significant financial resources while generating additional costs at various levels too. The importance of cost-effective management of these costs for car manufacturers has made it a field of interest for many studies. Many cost control techniques and concepts have been proposed. Yet, the author of this thesis could not find articles or reviews that discuss the possible links between these tools and concepts. The aim of this thesis is therefore to explore and get a better understanding of the financial side of inventory management out of applied inventory management cost control techniques. This literature review is based on scientific articles which deal with the subject, and which are published in recognized scientific journals. The PRISMA method is used as a selection criterion for these articles, followed by an in-depth analysis of them. It draws special attention to the four key factors that contribute to cost-effective inventory management within the automotive industry (1) quantity, (2) predictability, (3) prioritization and (4) information. It discusses their impact on inventories and highlights the pros and cons of different tools mentioned in the studied papers. Forecasting is found to be the common element of all the tools. Propositions for further studies of interest to the subject are presented at the end.Keywords: Inventory
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Gollan, Hugh. "The New Zealand dairy industry--international trade & industry structure." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1991. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/13343.
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Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, 1991.Title as it appears in the June, 1991 M.I.T. Graduate List: International trade in dairy products and the New Zeland industry.
Includes bibliographical references.
by Hugh Gollan.
M.S.
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Kok, Leo. "The impact of the Motor Industry Development Programme on the competitiveness of automotive component manufacturers." Diss., University of Pretoria, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/23136.
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South Africa is now well and truly part of the global economy after emerging from an inwardly looking era a mere 14 years ago. The change was felt by all South Africans, and most certainly also by local companies who entered the global market with their goods or services. This study investigates the way in which the South African automotive component manufacturing industry has entered the global market and adjusted to become globally competitive. This study is done in light of the presence of the Motor Industry Development Programme (MIDP), a sector-specific industrial policy that aims at making the South African automotive industry more competitive by enabling them to export. The study has shown that the MIDP is succesful in making component manufacturers more competitive, but that its methods for doing so are varied and in some cases not direct or perhaps even intentional. The study has also illuminated the role that original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) play in enabling the MIDP to affect component manufacturers and in enabling the component manufacturers to sell its products profitably in the global marketplace.Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2008.
Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS)
unrestricted
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Bacela, Bandile Sakhekile. "An evaluation of changes in capital investment by automotive companies in preparation for the Automotive Production and Development Programme (APDP)." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1016075.
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To thrive, developing countries depend on high levels of protection being given to key industries such as manufacturing; specifically the automotive and textile industries. South Africa, as a developing country and especially under the emergence of globalisation, has followed suit in terms of developing policies and structures to protect certain critical industries. During an era (1980 to 1989) of high political instability, South Africa experienced isolation from the rest of the world, which resulted in declines in industrial revenues as well as the country’s automotive industry undergoing a stage of perilous stagnation. It was through a protection regime that the automotive industry realised growth, a regime which started slowly in 1989 and accelerated in 1995 with the introduction of the Motor Industry Development Programme (MIDP) (Black, 2001). Through this regime the South African government sought to integrate the South African automotive industry into the global market by improving the competitiveness of this industry (The DTI, 2010). This led to the automotive industry becoming one of the most successful export sectors in South African manufacturing and a large net consumer of foreign currency, totalling R20 billion and R10 billion in imports and exports respectively by 1998 (Damoense and Simon, 2004). Reviews of the government legislation called the MIDP were held in year 1999 and 2002 and in 2008, a successor to the MIDP was named, the Automotive Production Development Programme (APDP) and is set to commence in year 2013 until 2020. Unlike its predecessor, the APDP policy promises to bring greater and more inclusive benefits to the automotive industry as a whole, provided organisations have prepared well to receive it. This study investigated whether organisations have prepared for the upcoming 2013 - 2020 APDP, with specific reference to capital investment in equipment. It determined whether automotive organisations have spent and are going to spend resources in securing equipment and technology in preparation for the introduction of the APDP.
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Auberson, Noélie. "Chances and Limits of Lean Development in the European Automotive Industry Opportunities for Rieter Automotive Systems /." St. Gallen, 2007. http://www.biblio.unisg.ch/org/biblio/edoc.nsf/wwwDisplayIdentifier/02502474001/$FILE/02502474001.pdf.
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Rojas, Gomez Victor Daniel. "Organizational processes analysis of product development in the automotive industry." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/107366.
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Thesis: S.M. in Engineering and Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Engineering, System Design and Management Program, Engineering and Management Program, 2016.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 74-75).
This thesis provides an analysis of specific process phases associated with the vehicle components development process at Ford Motor Company. I will be using the Organizational Process as the foundation to explore opportunities to improve the existing process. As with any other organization, Ford Motor Company has areas of opportunity in the organizational arena. Being on the verge of the next automotive revolution, the organization needs to analyze whether or not it is in the right position to develop the cars for the future. With more than 100 years of history the company faces some legacy challenges that permeate in the culture of today's organization. Being formed around figures of cult and the scars left by turning the company around to avoid bankruptcy could inhibit Ford from keeping pace in a demanding and changing industry. In Ford's current organization, the product development engineers play a key role in engineering and developing the vehicles that people will drive in the years to come. The challenges of simultaneously developing trucks, high performance cars, autonomous, electric and hybrids vehicles, while keeping up with innovation requires engineers to be on top of their competencies. It also requires an organizational environment that supports them. A comprehensive analysis of the process of developing automotive components is presented using the three lenses framework. This methodology reveals performance challenges in three categories or lenses: strategic design, cultural and political. The organizational process analysis presents a desired state and the paths to achieve that change. It is proven that inefficiencies in the engineering process create higher cost in reworks, which could impair the ability to compete with technology companies looking to disrupt the industry.
by Victor Daniel Rojas Gomez.
S.M. in Engineering and Management
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Joshi, Nachiket. "A systems perspective on the future of the automotive industry." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/106234.
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Thesis: S.M. in Engineering and Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Engineering, System Design and Management Program, Engineering and Management Program, 2015.Page 112 blank. Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 109-111).
This thesis provides a systems perspective on the trends anticipated in the global automotive industry and their impact on the industry value chain. The global trends which are the emergent properties of the automotive industry, their effects, and the corresponding challenges that they bring to the automotive companies are analyzed in the thesis. These changes have also been used as a base to identify the constraints and the opportunities that are foreseen ahead for the automotive companies. The 3 global trends that have been analyzed in detail are - technology advancement which is leading to disruptive innovation, changing consumer behavior from 'owning to sharing cars' which is leading to business disruptions, and finally the emergence of the East which marks the entry of Chinese companies as global car makers. The analysis of each global trend has been supplemented with a case study to better understand their effects. For analyzing technology disruptions, autonomous vehicle technology has been studied. From improving traffic safety and increasing driving speed, to reducing travel times, traffic congestion, energy consumption- self-driving cars can be beneficial in many ways. However, the operating environment for autonomous vehicles is a large complex sociotechnical system that must integrate existing legacy and future transportation systems. Successful implementation will need to consider social aspects- both from an individual's personal preferences, and also from the perspective of various global laws and regulations. To better understand this part, a systems analysis on implementing autonomous vehicles is presented in case study 1. The business disruptions in the industry have been studied through the lens of Uber's business development and strategy which is highlighted in case study 2. To study the emergence of Chinese car makers in the global automotive market, Qoros Automotive Co. Ltd is analyzed through case study 3.This case describes the significant role of the East in the future. These mega trends present the big auto companies with constraints and opportunities in terms of redeveloping competencies, innovating, and redeveloping internal capabilities. Strategic analysis as to how the big auto OEMs will need to design their value chain in the future is supplemented at the end of the thesis.
by Nachiket Joshi.
S.M. in Engineering and Management
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Luke, Jeffrey O. (Jeffrey Oliver) 1967, and Charles M. 1964 Vessels. "Implications of two-sided advertising in the automotive industry." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/59546.
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Thesis (M.B.A.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, 2004 [first author]; and, (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, 2004 [second author]."In conjunction with the Sloan Fellows Program."
Includes bibliographical references (p. 101-106).
The extreme competition in the automotive industry results in razor-thin profit margins as original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) compete for market share and profits which increase shareholder value. Product differentiation thus becomes a key strategy used by OEMs to attract consumers to their products. The typical product and/or service value proposition for an automotive manufacturer is composed of the following attributes: Quality (segment leading or equivalent); Reliability and Durability (segment leading or equivalent); Price (competitive within segment); Styling (meets or exceeds expectations of targeted segment); Performance (meets or exceeds expectations of targeted segment); and Features and Functions (competitive within targeted segment). To support an OEM's products in the marketplace, effective marketing and advertising strategies should build brand awareness and familiarity which induces consumers, both "loyal" and "avoiders," to traverse the purchasing funnel and eventually purchase. To this end, the concept of "Two-sided Messaging" is used by OEMs as one advertising strategy. The use of"Two-sided Advertising" has been widely studied and debated as to its effectiveness when compared to "One-sided Adverting" strategies. This thesis compares and contrasts the concepts of"Two-sided" and "One-sided" advertising. We discuss advertising strategies used in the automotive industry today, review past OEM (i.e., non-General Motors) Two-sided advertising situations, and review and discuss the current GM "Quality Advertising Campaign," also known as the "Road to Redemption" (R2R) advertising campaign.
by Jeffrey O. Luke [and] Charles M. Vessels.
S.M.
M.B.A.
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Kotiranta, V. (Ville). "Corporate brand positioning and differentiation in the luxury automotive industry." Master's thesis, University of Oulu, 2017. http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:oulu-201705101764.
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Global luxury automotive industry faces one of the most competitive and dynamic markets in the world. The focus of this research has been to discover the corporate strategies relating to competitive positioning and differentiation via brand personality. Both Aaker brand personality framework and specifically for this industry developed luxury automotive strategy framework are applied for content analysis data, which has been extracted from the mission and vision statements of four case companies: Audi, BMW, Daimler and Ferrari.
The empirical research has been divided in to three separate research questions concerning luxury automotive industry positioning and differentiation. The first research question stated: “How Audi, BMW, Daimler and Ferrari express their corporate brand personality in their mission and vision statements?” Based on the data analysis and application of two different brand personality frameworks, each of the four automotive companies express their brand personalities with unique corporate brand profiles.
The second research question stated: “How Audi, BMW, Daimler and Ferrari position and/or differentiate themselves in the luxury automotive industry using mission and vision statements?” Based on the data analysis and application of two different brand personality frameworks, most of the luxury automotive companies positioned themselves very similarly within the Aaker brand personality framework. However, in the luxury automotive framework further differences in positioning were seen. Differentiation was minimal with Aaker brand personality framework application, and slightly more prevalent in the luxury automotive framework.
Finally, the third research question stated: “Are there differences in positioning and differentiation for Audi, BMW, Daimler and Ferrari if alternative brand personality framework is used to complement Aaker brand personality framework?” Based on the data analysis there were differences in positioning, however similarly, most companies seemed to align their position with the competition. Daimler and Ferrari stood out by focusing more on their deep-rooted heritage.
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Viol, Florian. "An in-line measuring technique with tool error detection in an automotive production line." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1327.
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The modern automobile industry faces an increasing demand on personalized high quality products. In order to stay competitive the automobile manufacturers have to ensure the customers high quality demands. With the increasing amount of applied parts and components manufacturing processes are becoming more complex. The recent quality assurance of the manufacturers considers only the product quality. Furthermore are with the recent quality assurance methods only punctual integrations of quality assurance tools in production chains possible. These limitations cause a large quality control loop. This leads in case of defective parts to an enormous time and money effort to track the cause for the defect. This project presents an innovative measurement strategy of quality assurance within the modern automobile production which will minimize the control loop and identify the tool causing the defect in the part. It highlights the possibility to integrate equipment for quality assurance directly into the production cell itself and analyse the geometrical conditions within the manufacturing processes. The result of this thesis is a fully automated prototype which is installed into the actual production of the Volkswagen Golf assembly. The prototype system consists on the one hand out of different on the market free available hardware and software components. On the other hand there are specifically for this prototype developed hardware components and software tools. For the first time it is possible to inspect the geometrical conditions of one tool continuously during production and identify, if occurring, deviations in the tool in position direction and size. The installation of similar systems in the production will minimize the control loops of the production. The chance of early recognition of errors will reduce the efforts and cost of error backtracking. In ideal conditions this instrument will identify defective tools before a product is manufactured. This innovative quality tool is the ideal addition to the current quality assurance and is the first link between the product quality and the geometrical conditions of the tools.