Giuseppe Calabrese

Outsourcing and firm performance: evidence from Italian automotive suppliers

During the last decade a large number of firms operating in most industries have undertaken outsourcing processes. This tendency has involved, above all, automotive suppliers. The proposal of this paper is to investigate whether the outsourcing strategy has positively affected the overall performance of these firms. This has been observed by means of financial statements and under different viewpoints: growth, productivity, financial dependence and profitability. The findings point out that the relationship between outsourcing and performance does not follow a linear tendency. Furthermore, the firms always characterised by low integration or that deverticalised their productive structure over time have shown the highest growth, whereas firms with high integration level or that pursued a verticalisation strategy performed better in respect of profitability and debt ratio.

Strategy and Market Management of New Product Development and Incremental Innovation: Evidence From Italian SMEs

The industrial structure of many European countries is dominated by small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Although SMEs consider the new product development (NPD) process fundamental for success in the global market, the level of formalisation of the innovation process is very low. Moreover, if we consider the SMEs operating in the mature sectors, such as automotive and machines tools, the situation is worrying. The aim of this paper is to analyse in-depth a sample of manufacturing SMEs located in a highly industrialised Italian region (Piedmont), the strategy used both for NPD and for incremental innovation. The latter may often occur, not so much as structured RD the improvements informally suggested by engineers or technicians engaged in the production process; proposals and initiatives coming from users. The methodology in this paper is a longitudinal study which provides a close-up view of the adoption of these non-structured innovation patterns. Although the SMEs located in this area are specialised rather than diversified in their technological competencies and product range, they lack of information about the financial facilities available to the innovation process and marketing capabilities. These generate two effects: the SMEs cannot cope with the RD they cannot fully take advantage from their innovation process. This research aims to offer some useful considerations to the European policy makers and managers in managing NPD and innovation within SMEs.

From national to regional approach in R&D policies: the case of Italy

Following the recent changes in the institutional framework (devolution), the Italian regional governments are assuming a new and growing role in R&D support. This evolution however is not well determined and could cause some conflicts between the national and regional level, especially in the area where science policies are being formulated. This paper analyses the new regional policies covering this matter, the local initiatives in the Triple-Helix context and the future consequences on the national innovation system.

Concepts, measures and perspectives on innovation policy

The aim of this paper is to show the theoretical evolution of the innovation policy in the last few decades. This paper analyses two main matters: the theoretical assumption for public policies in R&D and the practices in progress. In the first issue, particular attention will be paid to current perspectives and contents: SMEs support, the regionalisation of policies and the Triple-Helix systemic approach. The second topic analyses the consequences for policymaking, according to the current main policies for innovation, such as mission policies, diffusion and technology transfer policies, infrastructural policies and territorial policies.

Innovation capabilities in small-medium autocomponents: evidence from Italy

Small-medium firms represent more than 90% of Italian firms, 50% of Italian production and two thirds of employment and they need support in innovation processes especially in known technology. The small-medium firm, in fact, operates chiefly in medium to low technology sectors, but cannot for this reason reject innovation. Suppliers are often too small to make the necessary investments in training, computer systems, research and development to make an effective partnership with final producers. Within this scenario the behaviour of the small-medium car supplier is quite different, vertical disintegration, reorganisation of the supply base, globalisation and the development of buyer-supplier relationships have undoubtedly changed the role of suppliers in the carmakers strategies.

R&D globalisation in the car industry

The globalisation of markets, the regionalisation of technical and scientific expertise, and the rapid change in technologies are forcing car manufacturers to review their R&D organisation. The thesis of the internationalisation of R&D activities is built on a long series of arguments. In contrast, a number of authors stress that R&D activities provide the basis for future earnings to be kept in the home base for security reasons. In comparison with other sectors, globalisation of innovation networks in the car industry is limited and the international duplication and diversification of technology is moderate at the most. The development of global networks is constrained by communication difficulties, pressures for regional autonomy, predominance of applied research and mechanical specialisation. Nevertheless, like other multi-national companies, some car manufacturers have been introducing different organisational concepts in international R&D. The new developments in mergers, acquisition and joint operations are emphasising this trend.

Firm’s survival, rating and efficiency: new empirical evidence

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the determinants of firms’ survival during crisis in the Italian automotive value chain.,The authors propose a survival analysis, based on a dichotomic model, in which supply chain features, technical efficiency (TE) and ratings are included as explanatory variables with other controls.,TE and financial health positively influence survival. Some supply chain variables are significant such as direct supply, geographical location and outsourcing level, whereas the proximity to the national carmaker is insignificant.,The main limitation of the study is the lack of qualitative data related to supply management practice in the automotive industry.,The study combine supply chain aspects with firms’ survival, TE and financial ratings.

Spatial organisation and company performance: a comparison between two models in the motor vehicle industry

This paper compares two completely different regional production systems Piedmont and Emilia-Romagna both characterised by marked specialisation in the motor vehicle industry. The former traditionally focuses on the automotive sector, while the latter is broadly differentiated into the manufacture of buses, trucks, motor cycles and agricultural equipment. The comparison is based on financial statements and is viewed from different perspectives: growth, productivity and profitability.

The employment effects of flexible integrated automation in small and medium firms

Aims to point out some effects caused by the implementation of flexible integrated automation on employment in small and medium Italian firms. Debates some economic theses such as: intra‐firm diffusion, deskilling labour process, the role of training and, finally, the creation of technological unemployment. Concludes that the first three examples of empirical evidence have largely confirmed the theoretical consensus on the employment effects of flexible integrated automation implementation. The fourth empirical evidence is, on the contrary, quite discordant.

The restructuring of tier 1 automotive suppliers in Europe during the crisis

The structuring of the automotive supply chain in tiers, which has progressively taken place over the last 20 years, has brought to the fore especially tier 1 suppliers, tasked with producing the so-called modules or systems, in cooperation and collaboration with a wide network of tier 2 and tier 3 suppliers. The entire automotive supply chain has been deeply affected by the economic crisis, particularly in Europe. The restructuring of the sector has occurred among final assemblers and, to a greater extent, among suppliers. This paper aims to analyse the main changes seen in tier 1 of the supply chain over the last few years, trying to understand key modifications in competition among the different production systems and the role played by companies operating in Europe. Lastly, the purpose of this research is also to contribute, thanks to empirical evidence drawn from an original and extremely detailed database, to the discussion on the main interpretation models based on the concepts of global value chain and supply chain management.