Technological catch-up by component suppliers in the Pakistani automotive industry: A four-dimensional analysis

Abstract

a b s t r a c tThis qualitative paper reports findings of an investigation into buyer-supplier interaction in the Pakistani autoparts industry. We conceptualize technological catch-up by Pakistani suppliers in four relatio-spatial dimensions with international joint ventures (IJVs) as mediating gateways between dimensions. A critical realist lens is deployed to connect macro-level constructs with micro-level concepts and expose the interplay between agency (micro-level) and structurally constraining (macro-level) conditions inherent in a late-liberalizing emerging economy. Key findings are that catch-up occurs in four temporally overlapping dimensions in which, different macro-level governance mechanisms and firm-level orientations transform and affect the degree of catch-up. The findings support an optimum pathway for catch-up from an apprentice like transactional state in Dimension One to a fourth dimension in which relational interaction with foreign suppliers becomes lightly mediated by the IJV's gateway.

A New Robust Dynamic Data Envelopment Analysis Approach for Sustainable Supplier Evaluation

“…ℎ : Unit income for output j for all scenarios (j: quality, production capacity, the number of acquired ISO and standards, and efficiency of the energy consumption): this is the encouragement that is considered for a scenario for each unit of outputs. 1 : Unit cost of shortages in shipped pallets for all scenarios (undesired relationships): this is the penalty that is decided by the decision-maker for each unit of this undesired relationship. In this paper for backlogs or goods shipped with a delay a penalty is considered for the supplier in that period.…”

“…In our case study, if the green R&D is considered as an undesired relationship for the under investigation DMU, a penalty is considered for that supplier for each unit of this relationship. 1 : Unit income of green research and development for all scenarios (free relationships): if the free relationship is a desired relationship an encouragement value will be assigned for each unit of this relationship. In our case study, if the green R&D is considered as a desired relationship for the under investigation DMU, an encouragement value is considered for that supplier for each unit of this relationship.…”

“…In recent decades scholars and practitioners have paid special attention to this issue. To name a few relevant samples we can refer to Khan et al [1] who analyzed the suppliers regarding their ability in transferring the technology. However, they merely considered economic criteria in evaluation of four levels of technology transfer among suppliers of auto industries in Pakistan.…”

Towards a new wave in internationalization of innovation? The rise of China's innovative MNEs, strategic coupling, and global economic organization

“…GVCs continue to be dominated by DMNEs, which have played the leading role in organizing and controlling production and the diffusion of knowledge in most sectors, based on their superior, knowhow-related capabilities (Ernst, 2009;Ernst & Kim, 2002;Khan & Nicholson, 2015). However, the growing geographic dispersion of R&D has also created opportunities for latecomer firms from China and India to upgrade their knowhow-related capabilities and to gain access to new technologies via the insertion in Triad-led GVCs (Altenburg et al, 2008;Humphrey & Schmitz, 2002).…”

“…Despite increasing fragmentation and geographical dispersion (Humphrey & Schmitz, 2002), most GVCs/GPNs are currently still dominated by DMNEs. They play the leading role in organizing and controlling production and the creation and diffusion of knowledge in most sectors, based on their superior, knowhow-related capabilities (Ernst & Kim, 2002;Ernst, 2009;Khan & Nicholson, 2015;Schmitz & Strambach, 2009). However, the rise of the new global innovative firms in China (and in other emerging economies) indicates that this state of affairs is now changing.…”