The lean production paradigm and the influence of automakers in the industrial organisation of their suppliers: The case of the Brazilian automotive complex

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This paper provides a multiple case study of the Brazilian automotive and auto parts industries and an analysis of the trends in their organisations and relationships. After a period following the international standards in work organisation and supply chain relationships, transnational automotive companies developed new models to improve their production competitiveness. In these lean models, suppliers have an important role throughout the automotive chain. The target is to answer this question: does the relationship with automotive parts companies help auto parts companies to adequate themselves to lean production principles? It is done through a multiple case study because the phenomenon that is studied is very complex and cannot be taken out of context without losing its consistency. Taking into account the methodological aspects, the present study was based on a multiple case study that was conducted in six average-sized companies to analyse their relationships with their automotive clients. Copyright © 2008 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.