Design and configuration of tier one supply chains in the North American automotive industry

The aim of this dissertation is to further develop the scientific knowledge on supply chain management. This research especially examines if and how an internationally operating tier one supplier in the automotive original equipment business can ensure its future success by satisfying the original equipment manufacturers’ expectations regarding short lead-times and high flexibility and responsiveness at competitive cost. This dissertation focuses on the question, whether the total length of the internal supply chain of a tier one supplier in an international manufacturing network and its level of responsiveness and flexibility to customer orders is still acceptable with respect to time being an increasingly critical factor in the supply chain. The question what conceptual changes in the design of tier one internal supply chains will become essential for future success is also being examined. Major objectives include the following: Identify the sources and driving forces of competition in the automotive industry and examine their impacts on tier one supply chain management approaches (PART II) Develop and document methods to carry out supply chain design activities (PART III). Point out the potential of value creation through the implementation of supply chain design in an industrial environment (PART IV– Case Study).