International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management (7 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• Open Access

  Applying the Jidoka concept to white-collar departments: an examination of the JKK initiative at Toyota Motors ( Free Full-text Access )

  by Seiji Manabe, Daniel Heller, Mihail Marinov 
  Abstract: This research paper explores the implementation and theoretical underpinnings of Ji Koutei Kanketsu (JKK), an adaptation of Toyota's renowned jidoka (i.e., autonomation or 'build-in quality') philosophy that was done to apply this approach to Toyota's white-collar departments in Japan. Through a comprehensive examination of the prerequisites, implementation, and effects of JKK, this study aims to elucidate its significance and impact. The research methodology combines interviews and fieldwork conducted at Toyota and its Japanese component suppliers, supplemented by internal documents and published works. The paper underscores the importance of building an organisational culture prominently featuring managerial commitment, visualisation, and open discussion as a prerequisite for successful JKK implementation, which consists of decomposing each individual process into work elements. The study reveals that JKK has numerous potential advantageous effects such as enhanced quality, efficiency, communication, and employee motivation. Furthermore, the study notes the active engagement of Toyota's business partners in JKK activities, suggesting potential avenues for future exploration.
  Keywords: Toyota production system; TPS; Jidoka; autonomation or build-in quality; just in time; JIT; PDCA cycle; process decomposition; employee motivation; visualisation; inter-organisational learning; quality assurance.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJATM.2026.10076272
   
  
• Impact of e-Kanban and ERP integration on lean production: lessons from the Indonesian automotive supply chain  
  by Christian Ricky, Kuniaki Tanaka, Manabu Sawaguchi, Nobuaki Minato 
  Abstract: This study examines the roles of e-Kanban, enterprise resource planning (ERP), and lean production practices (LP) in enhancing supply chain collaboration (SCC) and operational performance in Indonesian automotive supply chains. Employing a mixed-method approach, we integrate a case study of a focal company with a survey conducted among 152 tier-1 suppliers. The relationships between these systems and practices were analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM). The results indicate implementing e-Kanban alone does not inherently improve lean operations; however, user satisfaction with these systems significantly boosts the effectiveness of LP. The integration of e-Kanban and ERP systems, particularly when aligned with just-in-time principles, improves key operational metrics such as cost efficiency, product quality, lead time, productivity, and flexibility, which positively influence SCC and overall performance. This study also provides practical insights for practitioners and highlights the need for further exploration of ERP and LP integration in diverse supply chain contexts.
  Keywords: e-Kanban; enterprise resource planning; ERP; lean production; just-in-time; JIT; Indonesia; supply chain collaboration; operational performance.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJATM.2025.10072489
   
  
• The balance between product diversification and component commonisation at General Motors  
  by Michiru Uyama 
  Abstract: This study explores General Motors (GM) product diversification and component commonisation from the 1997 to 2020 model years, focusing on their balance. We define product diversity as specification count, component commonality as specifications per platform, product change frequency as minor changes, and component continuity as platform application years. GM pursued diversification and commonisation, notably in the large sport utility vehicle (SUV)pickup truck (PU) segment. This aligns with prior research highlighting the dual emphasis on differentiation and cost leadership. To offer diverse products from a single platform, GM established a wide margin for the large SUVPU platform. However, its platform application years are not longer than those of other platforms, suggesting that GMs modularisation inadequately adapted to temporal changes. Furthermore, stagnant overall sales in the late 2010s drove the significant commonisation of the large SUV-PU platform, reflecting a resource-based enhancement to promote it.
  Keywords: product diversification; component commonisation; General Motors; GM; vehicle platform margin; number of specifications; large SUV-PU; dwarf monocoque vehicles; ladder-frame vehicles; model change.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJATM.2025.10075820
   
  
• Exploring industrial policy pattern in developing countries automotive industry: a comparative mixed-approach analysis  
  by Hossein Aslipour, Fereshte Gholami, Mohammad Abdolhosseinzade 
  Abstract: This paper undertakes a comparative analysis of industrial policy approaches across four developing economies - China, Mexico, Thailand, and Turkey - in the automotive sector. Employing a mixed-methods approach through Boolean algebra, the study identifies key policy combinations that correlate with successful industry outcomes. The study proposes a phased policy model: in the first phase, countries should focus on import substitution, export promotion, and establishing joint ventures. In the same time, it is good to pay attention to policies supporting research and development, and human resource development. Second phase contains cross-border investment policies to further support industry growth.
  Keywords: comparative policy analysis; CPA; industrial policy; automobile industry; mixed-methods; Boolean algebra.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJATM.2025.10076483
   
  
• Charged and almost ready - stylised facts about the emerging market for used BEVs  
  by Levi Bognar, Scott A. Brave, Thomas Klier, Leslie McGranahan 
  Abstract: Due to its scale, the used vehicle market can play an outsized role in propagating new technologies. In this paper, we study the propagation of battery electric vehicle (BEV) technology through this market. Utilising vehicle registration microdata for all new and used vehicles registered in the US for model years 2010-2022 we study the market for used BEVs and establish two key facts. First, they enter the used market at the slowest rate compared to any other powertrain technology. Second, BEVs enter the used market having been driven significantly less than similarly aged vehicles featuring other powertrain technologies. In seeking to understand why BEVs are not transacted more often in the used vehicle market, we build a model of registration counts. A decomposition suggests that lower usage can explain up to 45% of the differential rates of transition from new to used vehicle status between BEVs and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. This suggests a large role for other factors, potentially related to the newness the product and associated early adoption behaviour.
  Keywords: used battery electric vehicles; used vehicle market; vehicle technology; BEV technology propagation; vehicle registration data; powertrain technology; BEV vehicle usage; ICE vehicle usage; vehicle technology adoption; USA.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJATM.2025.10076578
   
  

Special Issue on: GERPISA 2025 The Central Role of China in the Global Automotive Industry

• Open Access

  Electric vehicle adoption in Chinas post-subsidy era: a mixed-methods study of non-fiscal incentives ( Free Full-text Access )

  by Haomin Fu 
  Abstract: As governments transition from providing fiscal subsidies for electric vehicles (EVs), this study evaluates the effectiveness of non-fiscal incentives in Chinas post-subsidy era. We utilised an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design, combining a difference-in-differences-in-differences (DDD) analysis of 45 cities (2013 to 2022) with comparative case studies. The quantitative results indicate that road priority and charging infrastructure significantly boost EV sales, with road priority being more effective, particularly in cities with restrictions on conventional vehicles. Qualitative findings reveal that policy success depends on the credible implementation and systemic redesign of the urban mobility ecosystem. Taken together, these findings suggest that a strategic shift from direct financial aid to systemic regulatory and infrastructural design is critical for fostering sustainable EV adoption.
  Keywords: electric vehicle; non-fiscal incentive; road priority; charging infrastructure; policy evaluation; China; post-subsidy era; mixed-methods research; DDD method.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJATM.2026.10075821
   
  

• Open Access

  The great unbundling: from integrated architecture to orchestrated fluidity in the software defined vehicle era ( Free Full-text Access )

  by Zejian LI 
  Abstract: This paper theorises a fundamental paradigm shift in architecture theory, driven by the software defined vehicle. It posits the inverted mirroring path, a conceptual framework that overturns the traditional causal logic of the mirroring hypothesis. In this new paradigm, product architecture ceases to be a mirror of internal organisational structure and instead becomes a dynamic strategic interface that actively mediates exogenous forces institutional mandates, market dynamics, and user experience. The Chinese SDV ecosystem exemplifies this architectural unbundling: flexible industrial policy, a user base demanding perpetual evolution, and a proactive swarm strategy pursuing emergent heterogeneity have institutionalised a fluid design paradigm. Within this paradigm, the boundary configuration on what to integrate, decouple, or outsource becomes the primary locus of competition and value creation. Consequently, competitive advantage is redefined: it derives not from optimising a fixed architecture, but from a firms capacity to orchestrate architectural fluidity within an open, evolving socio-technical system.
  Keywords: software defined vehicles; SDV; architecture orchestration; swarm strategy; architectural flexibilisation; decoupling; socio-technical systems; product architecture evolution; Chinese automotive industry; BYD; NIO.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJATM.2026.10076371