Title: Modularity, open architecture and innovation: an automotive perspective

Authors: Christian E. Coronado Mondragon, Adrian E. Coronado Mondragon, Roger Miller

Addresses: Department de Mathematiques et Genie Industriel, Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal, Campus de l'Universite de Montreal, 2900, boul. Edouard-Montpetit, Montreal, QC, Canada. ' University of Liverpool Management School, Chatham Building, Chatham Street, L69 7ZH, Liverpool, UK. ' Department de Mathematiques et Genie Industriel, Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal, Campus de l'Universite de Montreal, 2900, boul. Edouard-Montpetit, Montreal, QC, Canada

Abstract: Competitive pressures in the automotive industry are forcing Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to modify their traditional scope for value creation and value capture. This situation is exemplified by the semi-open architectures of today|s motor vehicles, in the complete modification of hierarchies in the automotive value networks and in the modification of the relations of automotive OEMs ecosystems. These phenomena are studied in this paper through the discussion of the causes of the shift toward automotive architecture openness and the utilisation by OEMs of Full Service Vehicle suppliers (FSVs) as tools for value creation.

Keywords: automotive open architecture; modularity; value creation; innovation management; mass customisation; automobile industry; modularisation; OEMs; modular products.

DOI: 10.1504/IJATM.2006.012125

International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management, 2006 Vol.6 No.3, pp.346 - 363

Published online: 22 Jan 2007 *

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