Knowledge Management in the Automotive Industry

Paper Summary:

This report analyzes and recommends which knowledge management processes those auto manufacturers who are attaining best practices levels of performance are relying on. Critical to this analysis is examining how Japanese auto manufacturers specifically are structuring their production systems to encompass suppliers much earlier in the sourcing, quality, and procurement process than American or European auto manufacturers. The extension of knowledge management frameworks, both highly structured with taxonomies specifically aligned to quality management strategies, and loosely coupled to promote high levels of collaboration, trust and reciprocity in the sharing of knowledge are also profiled in this paper. As Toyota Motor Corporation and their Toyota Production System exemplify best practices in the area of knowledge management within automotive manufacturing, their approach to using knowledge management as both a foundation for inter organizational learning and the development of learning systems globally serve as the foundation for this paper.

Outline:
Executive Summary
Introduction
Automotive Industry Analysis
Current Use of Knowledge Management in Automotive
Potential Future
Conclusion
References

From the Paper:

"For automotive manufacturers knowledge management has progressed to enabling a series of interorganizational processes that enable knowledge management to serve as the impetus of lasting competitive advantage and differentiation. Automotive manufacturers attaining best practices in both interorganizational collaboration and the creation of their own learning ecosystems, knowledge management plays a much more foundational and less of an archival or referenceable, role in their strategies. There admittedly needs to be a balance, yet top performing auto manufacturers including Toyota for example are able to use interorganizational knowledge management as the foundation for the growth and strengthening of key strategic initiatives. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bergman, Rhonda. Electronic medical record makes life simpler for clinic physicians. Information Management. Hospitals and Health Networks. July 20, 1993. Page 60.
• Cohen, W.M. & D.A. Levinthal (1990). "Absorptive Capacity: A New Perspective on Learning and Innovation." Administrative Science Quarterly, 35, 128-152.
• Columbus and Murphy. Re-orienting your knowledge and content management strategies. AMR Research Report., AMR Research. October 31, 2002. Page 2
• Conner, K. & C. K. Prahalad ( 1996). "A resource-based theory of the firm: Knowledge versus opportunism." Organization Science, 7 (5): 477-501.
• Dyer, J. H. &H. Singh (1 996). "The relational view: Cooperative strategy and sources of interorganizational competitive advantage." Academy of Management Meetings,Cincinnati, August 12.

More papers on Knowledge Management in the Automotive Industry:

• Research Paper # 114122 : "Knowledge Management"
• Dissertation or Thesis # 75073 : "Knowledge Management:a Tool For Efficient Product Development"
• Essay # 67388 : "Entrepreneurial Management in the Hospitality Industry"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: