Abstract
We analyze the absorptive capacity (AC) process of a manufacturing company with central R&D and an internationally distributed manufacturing network. Prior research shows that an implementation of the lead factory (LF) is especially supportive if the international manufacturing network struggles with implementing new products and processes. We analyze determinants of AC and show that, in addition to prior related knowledge of the receiving plant, structure can have an even stronger influence. We show that in the case of a low level of prior related knowledge and a low level of AC within the receiving plants as well as high technological heterogeneity between plants and LF, the implementation of an LF may not lead to the expected result. In addition, we conclude that the analysis of the AC process has to move from a single unit to a network. This helps to understand the AC concept in the context of multinational companies.
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Deflorin, P., Scherrer-Rathje, M., Dietl, H. (2013). International R&D and Manufacturing Networks: Dynamism, Structure and Absorptive Capacity. In: Emmanouilidis, C., Taisch, M., Kiritsis, D. (eds) Advances in Production Management Systems. Competitive Manufacturing for Innovative Products and Services. APMS 2012. IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology, vol 397. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-40352-1_87
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-40352-1_87
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
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