Title: Relational governance of Japanese automotive industry: modularity and multiregional strategic action field

Authors: Paulo Cesar Matui; Mário Sacomano Neto

Addresses: Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), 235 Km Washington Luís (SP-310) Hwy, São Carlos – SP, Postal code 13565-905, Brazil ' Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), 235 Km Washington Luís (SP-310) Hwy, São Carlos – SP, Postal code 13565-905, Brazil

Abstract: The objective of this study was to analyse the modularity in the networks among Japanese automakers from 1998 to 2016 and its association to the dynamics of strategic action fields. This objective reflects the relational governance structure of automotive industry, and their association to the dynamics of automakers field. We identified that, where it is exposed to disturbances, the modular network hierarchy confers robustness and stability of the automakers field. The networks where built through 1,628 regional ties among 124 legal entities grouped by Japan, China, Europe and the USA. We divided the contractual relationships into ownership, alliances (joint ventures and assembly contracts) and technology and parts agreements. So results calls attention about the integration/decoupling dichotomy, because the networks affect the reallocation of activities and competencies across the four regions analysed in this study. Therefore, the paper also contributes to understand some influence of institutional aspects to the Japanese automakers networks.

Keywords: strategic action field; networks; regionalism; network modularity; network density; group; automotive management; relational governance; Japan; field stability.

DOI: 10.1504/IJATM.2017.089363

International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management, 2017 Vol.17 No.4, pp.430 - 451

Received: 18 Oct 2016
Accepted: 18 Aug 2017
Published online: 21 Jan 2018 *

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