Lanzara, G., Patriotta, G. (2007) “The Institutionalisation of Knowledge in an Automotive Factory: Templates, Inscriptions and the Problem of Durability”, Organization Studies, Vol. 28, Issue 5 (May).
Read also: Ciravegna, L. and Maielli, G. (2011). “Outsourcing of New Product Development and the Opening of Innovation in Mature Industries: A Longitudinal Study of Fiat during Crisis and Recovery,” International Journal of Innovation Management. Vol. 15, No. 1 (February), pp. 69–93.
Read any other reference from the BUS002 reading list that you might consider relevant.
Answer the following questions:
1. What were the main objectives Fiat intended to achieve by building the new production plant in Melfi and to what extent was its design affected by previous experiences with automation and robotics?
2. To what extent did the new programme of knowledge accumulation underpinning the design of Fiat’s Melfi plant represent a discontinuity with the past?
3. What was the issue of durability and how might the paper from Ciravegna and Maielli (2011) help to explain the emergence of the durability issue?
4. FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automotive) is currently trying to increase market shares in the upper end of the European car market. To that aim, would you advise FCA to “rediscover” the experience of the Melfi plant and build upon it? If so, what would you recommend in order to avoid the re-emergence of the durability issue?
Use the order calculator below and get started! Contact our live support team for any assistance or inquiry.
[order_calculator]