An analysis of supply chain issues relating to information flow during the automotive product development
Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management
ISSN: 1741-038X
Article publication date: 5 October 2015
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify measure and prioritise the perceived importance of supply chain issues within the automotive industry related to information flow during product development (PD).
Design/methodology/approach
This study analyses empirical data captured from semi-structure interviews with 15 multinational companies operating in the automotive sector. Data collected are analysed using a standard methodology identified from the literature. The individual issues captured are classified against 14 clusters that represent the core and the fundamental supply chain issues of information flow.
Findings
This study showed that half of the issues captured are related to the inadequate information systems used. The cluster that had the majority of individual issues is related to suppliers that are not directly connected with their customers through an enterprise system. However it was identified that two fundamental clusters justify the decision of not being directly connected. Implementing and maintaining multiple enterprise systems can be a big overhead for multinational companies working with a high number of customers.
Originality/value
Although several studies have proved the benefits that can be obtained through supply chain collaboration, there are relatively little empirical studies that seek to explore the understanding of supply chain issues in regards to information flow especially during PD. By identifying, measuring and prioritising the importance of supply chain issues this study provides researchers and practitioners guidance in developing better tools and defining more efficient processes.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This research was conducted as part of “VE-DRIVE” a two year collaborative R & D project which started in December 2011. The authors would like to thank all the project sponsors and especially Theorem Solutions, a world leading company in the field of Product Data Exchange and Supply Chain Collaboration, for supporting the semi-structured interviews and the analysis process. This research is co-funded by the Technology Strategy Board, the UK ' s innovation agency and the project partners.
Citation
Madenas, N., Tiwari, A., Turner, C. and Peachey, S. (2015), "An analysis of supply chain issues relating to information flow during the automotive product development", Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, Vol. 26 No. 8, pp. 1158-1176. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMTM-02-2014-0008
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited