Title: Cooperation and conflict in modular production and supplier parks: the case of Volvo Cars' modular assembly system

Authors: Peter Fredriksson

Addresses: Division of Industrial Marketing, Department of Technology Management and Economics, Chalmers University of Technology, Vera Sandbergs Alle 8, 412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden

Abstract: This paper elaborates on the co-existence of cooperation and conflict between the suppliers and car manufacturer undertaking modular production in a supplier park. A case study of Volvo Cars| modular assembly system is used for illustrating the many issues leading to conflicts and cooperation in this type of setting. As one of the results, the paper advocates the use of a supply network view. Such a view encompasses more than the focal module suppliers and car manufacturer, and is required to understand the effects of the combined use of the modular production and supplier park concepts.

Keywords: modular production; supplier parks; cooperation; conflict; Volvo Cars; automobile industry; modular assembly; supply networks; automotive production.

DOI: 10.1504/IJATM.2006.012122

International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management, 2006 Vol.6 No.3, pp.298 - 314

Published online: 22 Jan 2007 *

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