MIES Research Seminar: Exploring the Micro-Foundations of Ambidextrous Production: Home-Owned versus Foreign-Owned Firms in the Automotive Industry.

This seminar is hosted by the Marketing, International Enterprise and Strategy research division at Sheffield University Management School.

Abstract

The open nature of competition in the UK automotive industry is demonstrated by the large number of foreign firms that operate in this sector, which necessitates both exploitative and explorative capabilities. The main aim of this study is to investigate whether it is possible to distinguish domestically-owned (UK) and foreign-owned firms based on the micro-foundations of ambidextrous production, which are conceptualised as the Tools, Practices, Routines and Concepts (TPRCs) of lean and agile production. Survey data were collected from 85 home-owned and 55 foreign-owned firms, whose operations are located in the United Kingdom’s Midlands automotive industry. Logistic regression results reveal that domestically-owned firms were significantly more likely to be implementing agile (explorative) production methods, and foreign-owned firms were significantly more likely to be implementing lean (exploitative) production. Our findings not only advance the lean-agile debate, but we theoretically support a Contingency Theory (CT) perspective by advocating that firms align their performance priorities with contextual factors, in this case, their country of ownership and supply chain position. Moreover, by incorporating an argument built upon the strategy literature on Business Models (BMs) and Dynamic Capabilities (DC), we assert that home-owned and foreign-owned firms have evolved to underpin different kinds of competitive advantage within the same industry; however, these advantages are located at different tiers in the automotive supply chain. Given this, we advocate that foreign-owned firms internationalise into the UK automotive sector to exploit the explorative capabilities acquired by home-owned firms operating upstream in automotive supply chains.

Speaker Biography

Amir is a Lecturer in Strategic Management at Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham. Amir has a background in Economics and International Business, but his more recent work has focused on Operations Management and Supply Chain Management. More specifically his research interests primarily concern the distinction between lean and agile business models within automotive supply chains. Amir is also working on projects that examine multiplier effects within certain supply chains, TNI, R&D initiatives, and productivity levels

Programme

• Refreshments will be served in the Courtyard Cafe 12.30pm - 1pm
• Seminar will take place in Meeting room 3 (C floor) 1pm - 2pm

To book

Please book your place using the booking form opposite.