New configurations in supply chains: the case of a condominium in Brazil's automotive industry

Abstract

Purpose

The paper seeks to ascertain some of the implications of the supply chain configuration for important elements of the chain's management at an automaker using the industrial condominium configuration.

Design/methodology/approach

In an attempt to identify the main motivating factors for the adoption of an industrial condominium configuration, a basic case study framework was built to guide and define the key content of the research. The framework considers simplification, cost reduction, process integration, and shared infrastructure as the four main interdependent factors that impel and drive an automaker's implementation of a condominium. It also considers product and process management, logistics management, performance assessment and relationship management as business processes significantly affected by implementation of the condominium. Using an intentional sampling approach, a case study was made of an automaker that uses the industrial condominium configuration, and of four of its representative suppliers.

Findings

The study confirmed that the supply chain's configuration is indeed a determining element in the way the automaker's relationship with its suppliers is conducted and substantiated the importance of the logistics management process within the context of the condominium.

Research limitations/implications

The research reported involved only one case study.

Practical implications

The paper proposes and discusses four interdependent factors that motivate and drive an automaker's implementation of a contemporary industrial condominium in the auto industry.

Originality/value

The study was conducted in a supply chain with an automaker using an industrial condominium and four suppliers situated in different positions, and contributes mainly to the understanding of new forms of supply chain configuration.

Citation

Pires, S.R.I. and Sacomano Neto, M. (2008), "New configurations in supply chains: the case of a condominium in Brazil's automotive industry", Supply Chain Management, Vol. 13 No. 4, pp. 328-334. https://doi.org/10.1108/13598540810882215