Daniel Arturo Heller

Exploring the 4I framework of organisational learning in product development: value stream mapping as a facilitator

Organisational learning (OL) that enhances efficiency and the continuous improvement of processes is a key objective of lean product development and has become an important principle of new product development (NPD). Therefore, it is critical for an organisation to capture individuals’ and groups’ knowledge and learning about processes, institutionalise it, and deploy it organisation-wide. Since OL is more likely to occur if it is supported systematically, NPD scholars and practitioners recognise the importance of investigating facilitators’ effect on OL. However, there is no shared understanding of OL among existing studies. This disparity makes it hard to assess, compare, and integrate prior findings into studies. Our article addresses this gap. We investigate how value stream mapping (VSM) and its implementation in NPD affect OL in development processes. Therefore, we operationalise OL on the basis of Crossan et al .s 4I framework, which is comprehensive and widely recognised (Crossan, M., Lane, H. and White, R., 199918. Crossan , M. , Lane , H. and White , R. 1999 . An organizational learning framework: from intuition to institution . The Academy of Management Review , 24 ( 3 ) : 522 – 537 . [CrossRef], [Web of Science ®] View all references. An organizational learning framework: from intuition to institution. The Academy of Management Review, 24(3), 522–537). We analysed the approach to VSM and its implementation in four longitudinal, comparative case studies in the German-speaking car supplier industry. Using the 4I framework, we captured VSMs effects on the various OL dimensions. We provide valuable insights for R&D managers who seek to improve their processes and want to implement VSM.Organisational learning (OL) that enhances efficiency and the continuous improvement of processes is a key objective of lean product development and has become an important principle of new product development (NPD). Therefore, it is critical for an organisation to capture individuals’ and groups’ knowledge and learning about processes, institutionalise it, and deploy it organisation-wide. Since OL is more likely to occur if it is supported systematically, NPD scholars and practitioners recognise the importance of investigating facilitators’ effect on OL. However, there is no shared understanding of OL among existing studies. This disparity makes it hard to assess, compare, and integrate prior findings into studies. Our article addresses this gap. We investigate how value stream mapping (VSM) and its implementation in NPD affect OL in development processes. Therefore, we operationalise OL on the basis of Crossan et al .s 4I framework, which is comprehensive and widely recognised (Crossan, M., Lane, H. and White, R., 1999. An organizational learning framework: from intuition to institution. The Academy of Management Review, 24(3), 522–537). We analysed the approach to VSM and its implementation in four longitudinal, comparative case studies in the German-speaking car supplier industry. Using the 4I framework, we captured VSMs effects on the various OL dimensions. We provide valuable insights for R&D managers who seek to improve their processes and want to implement VSM.

The long-term value of M&A activity that enhances learning organisations

Viewing the automobile industry as being made up of independent learning-organisations may reveal some tie-ups that can generate value not easily revealed by traditional financial metrics. The key question to be answered when considering M&A activity between automakers from this perspective is how the formation of such a relationship (or its dissolution) may affect an automakers organisational learning (e.g., the development of increasingly higher-performing organisational routines to shorten development lead times, improve a vehicles overall customer satisfaction, improve the ease with which a vehicle can be assembled). We analyse three case studies to obtain insights into how M&A activity may be used to enhance the learning organisations of automakers. The first two cases, Renault-Nissan and Ford-Mazda, involve very significant but still minority equity stakes between Western and Japanese automakers. The third case, Chrysler-AMC, was a full acquisition involving two US firms.

The Rebirth of Mazda Under Ford’s Shadow

Mazda has a storied tradition in the auto industry (Shimokawa, 1994). While Mazda’s production of three-wheel motor vehicles for the Japanese market began in 1931, and four-wheel vehicle production began in 1960, Mazda is probably most well known for its successful development of the rotary engine in the mid-to-late 1960s. Yet as of the early-to-mid-1990s, Mazda was a severely struggling automaker burdened with poor profit performance, a heavy debt load, an inconsistent product message and an over-extended product line (see Hino, 2006: 177, 200).

Strategic upgrading of an overseas subsidiary through export promotion activities: the case of Kuozui Motor

This study examines the factors that influenced the role of Kuozui Motor – Toyotas Taiwanese subsidiary — in developing products and manufacturing for third countries. Employing a case-based exploratory research approach, this study reveals how Kuozui was able to become a regional hub with deep involvement in new product development. The study finds that while this change was partially crisis-driven, the major factor that leads to the acquisition of new roles related to new product development by this Taiwanese subsidiary of Toyota was capability building, particularly in manufacturing engineering. The case of Kuozui suggests that at subsidiaries of Toyota in small to medium-sized markets, while maintaining high factory performance, moving upstream from manufacturing excellence to process design and process improvement excellence is a major step toward the assignment of new product development work for third-country markets.

Exploring the 4I framework of organisational learning in product development

Organisational learning (OL) that enhances efficiency and the continuous improvement of processes is a key objective of lean product development and has become an important principle of new product development (NPD). Therefore, it is critical for an organisation to capture individuals’ and groups’ knowledge and learning about processes, institutionalise it, and deploy it organisation-wide. Since OL is more likely to occur if it is supported systematically, NPD scholars and practitioners recognise the importance of investigating facilitators’ effect on OL. However, there is no shared understanding of OL among existing studies. This disparity makes it hard to assess, compare, and integrate prior findings into studies. Our article addresses this gap. We investigate how value stream mapping (VSM) and its implementation in NPD affect OL in development processes. Therefore, we operationalise OL on the basis of Crossan et al .s 4I framework, which is comprehensive and widely recognised (Crossan, M., Lane, H. and White, R., 199918. Crossan , M. , Lane , H. and White , R. 1999 . An organizational learning framework: from intuition to institution . The Academy of Management Review , 24 ( 3 ) : 522 – 537 . [CrossRef], [Web of Science ®] View all references. An organizational learning framework: from intuition to institution. The Academy of Management Review, 24(3), 522–537). We analysed the approach to VSM and its implementation in four longitudinal, comparative case studies in the German-speaking car supplier industry. Using the 4I framework, we captured VSMs effects on the various OL dimensions. We provide valuable insights for R&D managers who seek to improve their processes and want to implement VSM.Organisational learning (OL) that enhances efficiency and the continuous improvement of processes is a key objective of lean product development and has become an important principle of new product development (NPD). Therefore, it is critical for an organisation to capture individuals’ and groups’ knowledge and learning about processes, institutionalise it, and deploy it organisation-wide. Since OL is more likely to occur if it is supported systematically, NPD scholars and practitioners recognise the importance of investigating facilitators’ effect on OL. However, there is no shared understanding of OL among existing studies. This disparity makes it hard to assess, compare, and integrate prior findings into studies. Our article addresses this gap. We investigate how value stream mapping (VSM) and its implementation in NPD affect OL in development processes. Therefore, we operationalise OL on the basis of Crossan et al .s 4I framework, which is comprehensive and widely recognised (Crossan, M., Lane, H. and White, R., 1999. An organizational learning framework: from intuition to institution. The Academy of Management Review, 24(3), 522–537). We analysed the approach to VSM and its implementation in four longitudinal, comparative case studies in the German-speaking car supplier industry. Using the 4I framework, we captured VSMs effects on the various OL dimensions. We provide valuable insights for R&D managers who seek to improve their processes and want to implement VSM.

Exploring the 4 I framework of organizational learning in product development

Organisational learning (OL) that enhances efficiency and the continuous improvement of processes is a key objective of lean product development and has become an important principle of new product development (NPD). Therefore, it is critical for an organisation to capture individuals’ and groups’ knowledge and learning about processes, institutionalise it, and deploy it organisation-wide. Since OL is more likely to occur if it is supported systematically, NPD scholars and practitioners recognise the importance of investigating facilitators’ effect on OL. However, there is no shared understanding of OL among existing studies. This disparity makes it hard to assess, compare, and integrate prior findings into studies. Our article addresses this gap. We investigate how value stream mapping (VSM) and its implementation in NPD affect OL in development processes. Therefore, we operationalise OL on the basis of Crossan et al .s 4I framework, which is comprehensive and widely recognised (Crossan, M., Lane, H. and White, R., 199918. Crossan , M. , Lane , H. and White , R. 1999 . An organizational learning framework: from intuition to institution . The Academy of Management Review , 24 ( 3 ) : 522 – 537 . [CrossRef], [Web of Science ®] View all references. An organizational learning framework: from intuition to institution. The Academy of Management Review, 24(3), 522–537). We analysed the approach to VSM and its implementation in four longitudinal, comparative case studies in the German-speaking car supplier industry. Using the 4I framework, we captured VSMs effects on the various OL dimensions. We provide valuable insights for R&D managers who seek to improve their processes and want to implement VSM.Organisational learning (OL) that enhances efficiency and the continuous improvement of processes is a key objective of lean product development and has become an important principle of new product development (NPD). Therefore, it is critical for an organisation to capture individuals’ and groups’ knowledge and learning about processes, institutionalise it, and deploy it organisation-wide. Since OL is more likely to occur if it is supported systematically, NPD scholars and practitioners recognise the importance of investigating facilitators’ effect on OL. However, there is no shared understanding of OL among existing studies. This disparity makes it hard to assess, compare, and integrate prior findings into studies. Our article addresses this gap. We investigate how value stream mapping (VSM) and its implementation in NPD affect OL in development processes. Therefore, we operationalise OL on the basis of Crossan et al .s 4I framework, which is comprehensive and widely recognised (Crossan, M., Lane, H. and White, R., 1999. An organizational learning framework: from intuition to institution. The Academy of Management Review, 24(3), 522–537). We analysed the approach to VSM and its implementation in four longitudinal, comparative case studies in the German-speaking car supplier industry. Using the 4I framework, we captured VSMs effects on the various OL dimensions. We provide valuable insights for R&D managers who seek to improve their processes and want to implement VSM.