Title: The dynamics of technological change in the automotive seat segment

Authors: Arturo A. Lara Rivero, Alejandro Garcia-Garnica, Rene Rivera Huerta

Addresses: Departamento de Produccion Economica, Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana, Unidad Xochimilco, Calzada del Hueso 1100, Col. Villa Quietud, Coyoacan, C.P. 04960, D.F. Mexico. ' Departamento de Produccion Economica, Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana, Unidad Xochimilco, Calzada del Hueso 1100, Col. Villa Quietud, Coyoacan, C.P. 04960, D.F. Mexico. ' Departamento de Produccion Economica, Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana, Unidad Xochimilco, Calzada del Hueso 1100, Col. Villa Quietud, Coyoacan, C.P. 04960, D.F. Mexico

Abstract: A motor vehicle is a complex system of more than 10,000 elements, which are integrated in subsystems produced in diverse technological systems that evolve in rhythms and directions. One of these systems is the automotive seat. This paper is organised into three parts. In the first, we show that patents are a technological indicator that contributes to explaining the technological evolution of automotive seats. In the second, a description of the technological evolution of the seat is used to analyse inventions registered by the Lear Corporation as well as by Johnson Controls. The last part examines the changes in the process of modularisation.

Keywords: autoparts; automotive seats; patents; technological competition; modules; Lear Corporation; Johnson Controls; modularisation; technological change; automobile industry; inventions.

DOI: 10.1504/IJATM.2006.009529

International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management, 2006 Vol.6 No.2, pp.236 - 256

Published online: 18 Apr 2006 *

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