Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Lourdes Alvarez-Medina Author-X-Name-First: Lourdes Author-X-Name-Last: Alvarez-Medina Title: COVID-19 crisis and the automotive industry in Mexico: public policies and firm strategies Abstract: The automotive industry's performance in Mexico was affected by the health and economic SARS-CoV2-crisis. As part of the complex North American supply chain, several factors influenced decision-making on crisis management. We determined the multilevel governance mechanisms to characterise the process of implementing activities. The productive performance of the industry, capacity utilisation rate per plant, employment, and foreign direct investment were evaluated. The federal government's support was scarce, although subnational governments were more sensitive to cooperate with stakeholders. Companies had to adapt to pandemic conditions and also to changes in the political and institutional environment driven by the USMCA and tensions between the USA and China. As a result, inward FDI flows and nearshoring practices are growing in the northern Mexican regions, stabilising the supply chains. Journal: Int. J. of Automotive Technology and Management Pages: 42-59 Issue: 1 Volume: 23 Year: 2023 Keywords: automotive industry; public policies; FDI and nearshoring; COVID-19; USMCA; Mexico. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=129636 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijatma:v:23:y:2023:i:1:p:42-59 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Grzegorz Lechowski Author-X-Name-First: Grzegorz Author-X-Name-Last: Lechowski Author-Name: Martin Krzywdzinski Author-X-Name-First: Martin Author-X-Name-Last: Krzywdzinski Author-Name: Tommaso Pardi Author-X-Name-First: Tommaso Author-X-Name-Last: Pardi Title: A government-driven sectoral transformation? French and German policy responses to the COVID-crisis in the automotive industry Abstract: This paper explores the COVID-era government stimulus programs for the automotive industry in France and Germany. We assess the design of the sectoral support packages and the related policymaking processes against the background of the discourse about crisis-era state aid as an instrument of economic restructuring. We place the sectoral stimulus programs in the context of changing EU-level regulations and the following three country-level characteristics: the revival of industrial policy thinking among national policymakers; the growing economic pressures in the domestic automotive sectors; and the established structures of government-industry interest intermediation. Our results suggest that in both countries, large and technologically transformative recovery programs were introduced for the automotive sector. However, both support packages had a rather structurally conservative character and were influenced by different pre-existing state-industry dynamics: the corporatist concertation in Germany and post-dirigiste state interventionism in France. Journal: Int. J. of Automotive Technology and Management Pages: 5-21 Issue: 1 Volume: 23 Year: 2023 Keywords: European Union; France; Germany; automotive industry; COVID crisis; electrified vehicles; industrial policy; corporatism; post-dirigisme. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=129637 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijatma:v:23:y:2023:i:1:p:5-21 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Matteo Gaddi Author-X-Name-First: Matteo Author-X-Name-Last: Gaddi Author-Name: Nadia Garbellini Author-X-Name-First: Nadia Author-X-Name-Last: Garbellini Title: The Italian Government's industrial policies in the automotive sector Abstract: The automotive industry is undergoing a dramatic structural change that are potentially harbingers of serious industrial and employment consequences, calling for prompt and effective public intervention. It is necessary to determine what type of public intervention needs to be implemented and for what objectives. The focus of the present paper is Italy. Starting from a description of the evolution of production and employment levels in the last 30 years, it aims to analyse the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, singling out the measures that might affect the sector. Secondly, the papers deal with the FCA-PSA merger and Stellantis industrial plant and its consequences for Italy's industrial structure and employment levels. The aim of the paper is to analyse the Italian Government's industrial policies and highlight that these policies do not seem able to address the problems of the automotive sector. Journal: Int. J. of Automotive Technology and Management Pages: 22-41 Issue: 1 Volume: 23 Year: 2023 Keywords: electric vehicles; Italian automotive industry; Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan; Stellantis; industrial policy. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=129640 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijatma:v:23:y:2023:i:1:p:22-41 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Boy Lüthje Author-X-Name-First: Boy Author-X-Name-Last: Lüthje Author-Name: Dan Wu Author-X-Name-First: Dan Author-X-Name-Last: Wu Author-Name: Wei Zhao Author-X-Name-First: Wei Author-X-Name-Last: Zhao Title: China's auto industry: regimes of production and industrial policy in the age of electric cars Abstract: This article discusses China's industrial and labour policy for the automotive industry facing the transition to the era of new energy vehicles. A conceptual framework on the regimes of production is employed to analyse the present transformation of industry structures in production models and labour markets. The growth of private-capitalist regimes of high-performance, low wages, and high profit incentives for workers is identified, which can be described as the 'Foxconnisation' of the industry, and it is at the expense of the corporate-bureaucratic regimes prevalent among the leading Sino-foreign joint ventures. As production networks become vertically disintegrated, some non-traditional industrial players are highlighted in the discussion of some recent developments in the industry during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The profound transformation in the regimes of production brought about social contradictions related to the production process, and new challenges and implications for workplace policies. The empirical study of this article confirms the necessity of trade union strategies inside China from an international perspective in order to ensure social standards and a more sustainable green transformation of the industry. Journal: Int. J. of Automotive Technology and Management Pages: 80-98 Issue: 1 Volume: 23 Year: 2023 Keywords: new energy vehicles; regimes of production; industrial policy. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=129649 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijatma:v:23:y:2023:i:1:p:80-98 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Holger Bungsche Author-X-Name-First: Holger Author-X-Name-Last: Bungsche Title: '2022 – the first year of the EV era in Japan?' The COVID crisis and its impact on the Japanese automobile industry Abstract: Has the COVID pandemic just been another crisis that had hit the Japanese automobile industry over the past three decades or has it been a watershed moment with respect to the shift to electric cars (EVs)? After presenting data regarding the development of Japanese industry and the evolution of policies for ecological friendly cars, the paper argues that, given that all major automobile markets and most foreign competitors are shifting towards battery electric vehicles (BEVs), the Japanese automobile producers have no choice other than abandoning conventional combustion engines including hybrid technologies and changing their strategies as well to BEVs. They do so, not because of government carbon neutral policies or out of conviction of the ecological superiority of BEVs, but just out of pure pragmatism in order to maintain their international competitiveness regarding products and production. COVID did not trigger but accelerated these developments. Journal: Int. J. of Automotive Technology and Management Pages: 60-79 Issue: 1 Volume: 23 Year: 2023 Keywords: Japanese automobile industry; electric vehicles; carbon neutral strategies; automobile supply chains; sustainable mobility; CASE; Japan. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=129650 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijatma:v:23:y:2023:i:1:p:60-79 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Huong Giang Nguyen Author-X-Name-First: Huong Giang Author-X-Name-Last: Nguyen Author-Name: Marlene Kuhn Author-X-Name-First: Marlene Author-X-Name-Last: Kuhn Author-Name: Jörg Franke Author-X-Name-First: Jörg Author-X-Name-Last: Franke Title: Attributes for open innovation with automotive suppliers in new product development: a case study of the electrical and electronic system Abstract: This paper addresses the phenomenon of open innovation (OI) with automotive suppliers in new product development (NPD). An attempt is made to create an in-depth understanding of how the OI-relevant attributes 'openness' and 'possibility to contribute' influence participants to profit from OI. The methodology is a multiple embedded case study of a European OI network developing the electrical and electronic (E/E) system for automotive vehicles. A semi-structured interview guideline was applied to collect qualitative data on this phenomenon from the perspective of focal firms and suppliers. The case study reveals that the attribute 'possibility to contribute' possesses a more significant influence on members in big OI networks and is an antecedent for the attribute 'openness'. Our findings also indicate that a holistic system understanding of the to-be-developed product and interrelations of components are significant to objectively assess the potential of innovations in NPD and equally involve all suppliers in OI. Journal: Int. J. of Automotive Technology and Management Pages: 280-302 Issue: 2/3 Volume: 23 Year: 2023 Keywords: open innovation; open innovation attributes; supplier management; new product development; NPD; automotive; E/E system; wiring harness. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=133349 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijatma:v:23:y:2023:i:2/3:p:280-302 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Francesco Fasano Author-X-Name-First: Francesco Author-X-Name-Last: Fasano Author-Name: Maurizio La Rocca Author-X-Name-First: Maurizio La Author-X-Name-Last: Rocca Author-Name: Francesco Rizzo Author-X-Name-First: Francesco Author-X-Name-Last: Rizzo Title: Working capital determinants in the automotive industry: an empirical analysis Abstract: High-growth opportunities in the automotive industry make financial policies very important to firms operating in this sector because they need a huge amount of liquidity to undertake new investments, especially during the current transition towards electric vehicles. Working capital has a key role in corporate financial policies. In particular, it can both sustain transactions in the supply chain and provide automotive firms with the resources to fund their growth projects and face market competition. This paper studies the determinants of two key components of working capital, trade credit and trade debt, using an international sample of 8,471 automotive companies over the 2011-2019 period. The findings allow managers to understand the antecedents of working capital decisions and have important practical implications for the corporate strategies of automotive firms. Journal: Int. J. of Automotive Technology and Management Pages: 257-279 Issue: 2/3 Volume: 23 Year: 2023 Keywords: working capital; trade credit; trade debt; automotive industry; automotive firms. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=133350 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijatma:v:23:y:2023:i:2/3:p:257-279 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Lisa Kraus Author-X-Name-First: Lisa Author-X-Name-Last: Kraus Author-Name: Heike Proff Author-X-Name-First: Heike Author-X-Name-Last: Proff Author-Name: Carla Giesing Author-X-Name-First: Carla Author-X-Name-Last: Giesing Title: Composition of a mobility as a service offer for university students based on willingness to pay and its determinants Abstract: The uptake of mobility as a service (MaaS) is imminent, especially among university students, a customer group likely to promise superior revenue. Because research on students' willingness to pay (WTP) for MaaS is still missing, this study provides an analysis on students' MaaS preferences, including differences between students, preferences of services, and their WTP to design MaaS bundles and discover the revenue potential. A conjoint analysis was conducted among 1,165 students at the University Alliance Ruhr, Germany. The average WTP was €26.81 for a monthly MaaS package. Offering integrated MaaS packages increased utility. Three benefit segments based on transportation attribute importance (for e-scooters, bike and car sharing and on-demand e-shuttles) were identified: car users, frugal bike users, and generous multimodal flexibles. The results showed that latent variables such as attitudes and perceptions explain differences between the segments. Revenue is significantly higher for offering segment-specific MaaS packages than for a generic one. Journal: Int. J. of Automotive Technology and Management Pages: 227-256 Issue: 2/3 Volume: 23 Year: 2023 Keywords: mobility as a service; MaaS; willingness to pay; clusters; mobility behaviour; Germany. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=133351 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijatma:v:23:y:2023:i:2/3:p:227-256 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Lorenza Monaco Author-X-Name-First: Lorenza Author-X-Name-Last: Monaco Author-Name: Tobias Wuttke Author-X-Name-First: Tobias Author-X-Name-Last: Wuttke Title: The South African auto industry in a world of GVCs: lead firm sourcing strategies and local supplier development Abstract: This article aims to contribute to the theoretical debate on GVCs-driven industrialisation in emerging economies and to the South African policy debate by closely investigating the local manufacturing base in the South African auto industry and the prospects for its further expansion. For this purpose, it builds on more than 50 semi-structured interviews, conducted throughout 2021 with assemblers, large multinational component firms with subsidiaries in South Africa, local component manufacturers, policymakers and industry experts. The paper argues that only by combining an understanding of lead firms' sourcing strategies and local component suppliers' perspectives, an assessment of obstacles and opportunities for localisation is possible. In this regard, the paper provides an in-depth analysis of sourcing strategies of the assemblers and multinational component firms and a comprehensive picture of structural, policy-related, market-dependent, and capability-related issues that local component suppliers face with regards to deepening local value addition. Journal: Int. J. of Automotive Technology and Management Pages: 104-120 Issue: 2/3 Volume: 23 Year: 2023 Keywords: automotive industry; sourcing strategies; localisation; global value chains; global production networks; assemblers; component suppliers; South Africa; industrialisation. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=133352 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijatma:v:23:y:2023:i:2/3:p:104-120 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Hamza Rarou Author-X-Name-First: Hamza Author-X-Name-Last: Rarou Title: Global trends and spatiotemporal shifts in the automotive assembly footprint Abstract: In this paper, I study the spatiotemporal dynamics that occurred in the automotive industry between 1899 and 2018. Globalisation dynamics decreased the transportation costs of goods, people, and ideas and changed the spatial configuration of car assembly quite drastically. I combine insights from the eclectic paradigm, economic geography, and the core-periphery literature to shed light on how assembly plant footprints formed and evolved over time. By 2018, most plants were Asian-owned and located in developing and peripheral countries, breaking a century-long dominance of European and US carmakers and of developed core countries. I analyse the spatial implication of this production reorganisation using spatial point pattern methods and tests. I found that significant spatial footprint shifts were correlated with regional integration processes and the 2008-2009 financial crisis. Journal: Int. J. of Automotive Technology and Management Pages: 121-143 Issue: 2/3 Volume: 23 Year: 2023 Keywords: spatial footprint; automotive industry; eclectic paradigm; economic geography; core-periphery; globalisation; international production; spatial point pattern; spatial data. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=133353 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijatma:v:23:y:2023:i:2/3:p:121-143 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Christoph Buck Author-X-Name-First: Christoph Author-X-Name-Last: Buck Author-Name: Laura Watkowski Author-X-Name-First: Laura Author-X-Name-Last: Watkowski Title: How automotive OEMs can lever platform-based ecosystems through the strategic use of boundary resources Abstract: While platform-based ecosystems have drawn massive attention, the focus has primarily been on the platform development, architecture and governance of digital native firms. Nonetheless, mainly product-focused industries are suffering severe changes in how value is perceived by consumers. Thus, they sense an urgent need for change toward establishing platform-based ecosystems in order to survive and remain competitive. As recognised in the automotive industry, OEMs miss fruitful guidance on how to make their resources strategically available to external actors and how to manage them to profit from complements and knowledge spill-overs. Once opened, resources are harder to control; thus, automotive OEMs fear hostile misuse. Based on a systematic literature review, we derive state-of-the-art knowledge concerning the strategic use of boundary resources (BRs). Further, we provide insights through interviews with experts on how to cope with the tensions of openness of resources to enhance platform-based ecosystems' value. Journal: Int. J. of Automotive Technology and Management Pages: 171-194 Issue: 2/3 Volume: 23 Year: 2023 Keywords: selective revealing; strategic revealing; resource revealing; boundary resources; platform based; software platform; ecosystem; platform governance; automotive OEM; car manufacturer; product focused. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=133354 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijatma:v:23:y:2023:i:2/3:p:171-194 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Sekai Kida Author-X-Name-First: Sekai Author-X-Name-Last: Kida Author-Name: Daniel Arturo Heller Author-X-Name-First: Daniel Arturo Author-X-Name-Last: Heller Author-Name: Yusuke Tamura Author-X-Name-First: Yusuke Author-X-Name-Last: Tamura Author-Name: Eiji Motohashi Author-X-Name-First: Eiji Author-X-Name-Last: Motohashi Author-Name: Hidenori Sato Author-X-Name-First: Hidenori Author-X-Name-Last: Sato Author-Name: Yasuhiro Hattori Author-X-Name-First: Yasuhiro Author-X-Name-Last: Hattori Title: The effect of organisational sales management on dealership performance Abstract: The objectives of this paper are to grasp the current situation of Japanese automobile dealers (sales outlets) and discover what the effective capability and management practices are for them. We analyse quantitative data obtained from questionnaires distributed to new vehicle sales outlets in the Tokyo region of Japan. We have three major findings. First, the overall sales performance of Japanese sales outlets appears to be unsustainably low, suggesting there will be ongoing consolidation even after a post-pandemic recovery. Second, the paper provides empirical evidence that there are significant differences in the new vehicle sales performance of sales outlets across vehicle brands and segments. Third, we found that acquisition capability and job role formalisation at sales outlets have significant negative effects on new vehicle sales performance. The results suggest the importance of role flexibility at sales outlets. Journal: Int. J. of Automotive Technology and Management Pages: 144-170 Issue: 2/3 Volume: 23 Year: 2023 Keywords: sales management; car dealers; dealerships; showrooms; cross-functional cooperation; new customer acquisition; customer retention; formalisation; vehicle brands; Japan; managers. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=133355 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijatma:v:23:y:2023:i:2/3:p:144-170 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Kulacha Sirikhan Author-X-Name-First: Kulacha Author-X-Name-Last: Sirikhan Title: Building scenarios for the integration of shared autonomous vehicles into multimodal shared mobility systems in Southeast Asia mega-urban regions Abstract: This research aims to manifest a holistic framework in scenario building for the integration of shared autonomous vehicles into multimodal shared mobility systems in two of Southeast Asia's mega-urban regions: Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City. This study proposed mixed methods of bibliometric analysis and spatial analysis to scan driving forces at the generic and place-based level. Critical uncertainties result from prioritising driving forces, which were used in framing scenarios. The four scenario quadrants in cross-impact analysis are formed by the intersection of two axes: the degree of government intervention and the degree of integration of mobility solutions. The results shed light on inherent mobility inequality issues and challenges in engaging a diverse range of stakeholders. The paper concludes with proposed strategic implications covering institutions, incentives, and infrastructures that contribute to social benefit, uphold market freedom, and support the emergence of urban mobility innovations. Journal: Int. J. of Automotive Technology and Management Pages: 195-226 Issue: 2/3 Volume: 23 Year: 2023 Keywords: shared autonomous vehicles; SAVs; multimodal shared mobility systems; scenario building; Southeast Asia mega-urban regions. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=133357 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijatma:v:23:y:2023:i:2/3:p:195-226 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Wale Arowolo Author-X-Name-First: Wale Author-X-Name-Last: Arowolo Author-Name: Yannick Perez Author-X-Name-First: Yannick Author-X-Name-Last: Perez Title: Which developing countries are ripe for electric vehicle investment? An analytical framework Abstract: While some developed countries (especially in the West) are making some progress in electrifying their transport sector with electric vehicles, it is also important to focus on developing countries since the climate change challenge is global. This paper contributes knowledge on transport electrification in developing countries. First, we analyse the evolution of the industrial organisation of electric utilities. Second, we discuss the interaction of electric utilities with the increased uptake of electric mobility in the context of the megatrends of decarbonisation, digitalisation, decentralisation, demand disruption and disintermediation in developing countries. Then, we develop an analytical framework as a decision-support tool to provide insight to policymakers, utilities, regulators, and stakeholders willing to invest in electric mobility in developing countries. Journal: Int. J. of Automotive Technology and Management Pages: 322-338 Issue: 2/3 Volume: 23 Year: 2023 Keywords: electric mobility; electric utilities; industrial organisation; developing countries. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=133359 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijatma:v:23:y:2023:i:2/3:p:322-338 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Sara Caria Author-X-Name-First: Sara Author-X-Name-Last: Caria Author-Name: Francesco Garibaldo Author-X-Name-First: Francesco Author-X-Name-Last: Garibaldo Author-Name: Matteo Rinaldini Author-X-Name-First: Matteo Author-X-Name-Last: Rinaldini Title: Shadowing Industry 4.0: an empirical study of digitalisation in a German/Italian automotive firm Abstract: In line with the recent debate, the general aim of this paper is to explore the interplay of human intervention and digital technologies in lean production. In particular, we present an empirical analysis of how digitalisation is introduced into a lean system within a German owned firm located in the Italian 'motor valley', where technological innovation is theoretically inspired by the Industry 4.0 (I4.0) approach. The analysis of this single-case study brought to light that production is becoming more and more digital-intensive, but it appears to be informed by a digital shadow rather than a digital twin paradigm. Indeed, workers appear to hold a steady control over the work process, although digital self-configuring systems are beginning to be introduced. At the same time, the analysis identifies two elements allowing to maintain the balance between automation and human intervention: on one hand, the type and market positioning of the product, which leaves a wide scope for profit and, on the other hand, the important role played by trade union at company level in influencing the way digitalisation is introduced. Journal: Int. J. of Automotive Technology and Management Pages: 303-321 Issue: 2/3 Volume: 23 Year: 2023 Keywords: lean production; Industry 4.0; digitalisation; lean augmentation; lean trap; operations; kaizen; human resource development; trade union; single-case method; German/Italian automotive industry. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=133361 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijatma:v:23:y:2023:i:2/3:p:303-321