Title: The impact of design architecture choices on competitiveness: comparison of Korean and Japanese shipbuilding firms

Authors: Yuichiro Mukai; Young Won Park; Paul Hong; Geon-Cheol Shin

Addresses: Faculty of Economics, Takasaki City University of Economics, 1300 Kaminamie, Takasaki, Japan ' Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Faculty of Economics, Saitama University, 255 Shimo-okubo, Sakura-ku, Saitama, 338-8570, Japan; Manufacturing Management Research Center, Graduate School of Economics, Faculty of Economics, The University of Tokyo, Kojima Hall 5F, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan ' Information Operations and Technology Management, College of Business and Innovation, University of Toledo, 2801 West Bancroft St, Toledo, OH 43606, USA ' School of Management, Center for Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Korea

Abstract: This study examines why shipbuilding firms use both standardised and customised designs and analyses the impact of design architecture choices on competitiveness. Case study findings suggest that Korean and Japanese firms have different strategies. Hyundai Heavy Industry Corporation (HHIC)'s development processes utilise 'package unit' design for its suppliers. It has contributed reducing its production processes by half. Samsung Heavy Industry Corporation (SHIC) emphasises dual strategic options that integrate both standardisation and customisation orientations. Meanwhile, some Japanese companies are still successful. They adopt 'standardised ship' strategies making a bulk carrier which is not so complex or sophisticated. However, overall design is still customised for each requirement. Some successful companies adopt modularisation or closed-standardisation at the subsystem level for the design and manufacturing productivity. These cases show the probability of the ability of architectural dynamics contributing to the productivity and competitiveness in the matured technological category.

Keywords: design architecture choices; Japanese shipbuilding firms; product architecture; product development; Korean shipbuilding firms.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2019.097522

International Journal of Technology Management, 2019 Vol.79 No.2, pp.147 - 164

Published online: 28 Jan 2019 *

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