Operations and Technology Strategy Trajectories followed by automotive engine manufacturers set up in Brazil

Abstract

This paper aims to identify and analyze recent trajectories followed by two engine assembly plants set up in Brazil (one mature company and one newcomer), regarding operations and technology strategies undertaken by them. In short, the mature company has made efforts to increase quality and flexibility, while the newcomer has prioritized cost reduction and quality enhancements, besides taken action to increase its product nationalization. The main findings indicate that (1) competitive priorities seem to "pull" the trajectories, translating market needs into specific tasks that must be fulfilled by each strategy, while the advances made in each step may "push" the trajectories, setting the basis for new strategies and making them capable of moving further; (2) although advances along trajectories are intended and planned, they cannot be foreseen and alternate decisions may be necessary and (3) secondary factors like the degree of autonomy assigned to firms and accumulated knowledge also influence trajectories.

O processo de formação de estratégias de manufatura em empresas brasileiras de médio e pequeno porte

“…Por um lado existem acadêmicos que defendem que as estratégias de manufatura devam ser planejadas, num processo predominantemente top-down (Beckman & Rosenfield, 2008;Maia, Cerra, & Alves, 2010;Platts & Gregory, 1990;Skinner, 1978); por outro, existem os que defendem que as estratégias também são formadas como processo de aprendizado da organização (Gagnon, 1999;Hayes, Pisano, Upton, & Wheelwright, 2005;Slack & Lewis, 2008;Swink, Narasimhan, & Wang, 2007).…”