Knowledge integration in new product development: the FIAT Autocase Online publication date: Fri, 05-Sep-2003
by Markus C. Becker, Francesco Zirpoli
International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management (IJATM), Vol. 3, No. 1/2, 2003
Abstract: The article analyses the organisation of the new product development process at FIAT Auto with a particular focus on knowledge used in this process. The knowledge dimension emerges as important in the new product development process in particular because of the outsourcing of design tasks. Such outsourcing not only solves the problems of cutting costs and reducing lead times, but also raises the problem that the knowledge required in the new product development process is spread more widely across the supply chain. Subsequently, it needs to be (re-)integrated and coordinated in order to make for a whole. How do car makers go about organising the integration and co-ordination of knowledge required in the new product development process, reinforced by strong outsourcing? The article casts some light on this question from the case of FIAT Auto, reporting insights from a longitudinal study that spans the years 1991–2002.
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management (IJATM):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:
Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.
If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com
Our Blog 
Follow us on Twitter 
Visit us on Facebook