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Identification And Generation Of Innovative Ideas In The Procurement Of The Automotive Industry: The Case Of Audi Ag

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  • FELIX HOMFELDT

    (Chair of Innovation and Dialogue Marketing, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstr. 30, D-95447 Bayreuth, Germany†AUDI AG, Procurement Strategy, D-85045 Ingolstadt, Germany)

  • ALEXANDRA RESE

    (Chair of Innovation and Dialogue Marketing, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstr. 30, D-95447 Bayreuth, Germany)

  • HANNO BRENNER

    (#x2020;AUDI AG, Procurement Strategy, D-85045 Ingolstadt, Germany)

  • DANIEL BAIER

    (Chair of Innovation and Dialogue Marketing, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstr. 30, D-95447 Bayreuth, Germany)

  • TIL FABIO SCHÄFER

    (#x2020;AUDI AG, Procurement Strategy, D-85045 Ingolstadt, Germany)

Abstract

Open innovation and the use of suppliers and start-ups as external idea sources have become increasingly important in the automotive industry. Since the purchasing function in a company has correspondingly become more strategic, scholars have taken the role of procurement in innovation more intensely into account. This study examines procurement’s role in the innovation process of the automotive industry and investigates which and how open innovation instruments are used in order to benefit from the innovation capability of suppliers and start-ups. The empirical evidence is based on an in-depth case study of the automotive manufacturer AUDI AG. Several arguments are elaborated which justify a key role for procurement in the innovation process (e.g., interface role, economic activities). Furthermore, we identified nine pull and push instruments enabling procurement to contribute to Audi’s innovation performance. Since the instruments are designed to meet different internal requirements (e.g., in relation to a vehicle project or not), interesting insights for scholars and practitioners are provided.

Suggested Citation

  • Felix Homfeldt & Alexandra Rese & Hanno Brenner & Daniel Baier & Til Fabio Schäfer, 2017. "Identification And Generation Of Innovative Ideas In The Procurement Of The Automotive Industry: The Case Of Audi Ag," International Journal of Innovation Management (ijim), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 21(07), pages 1-31, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:wsi:ijimxx:v:21:y:2017:i:07:n:s1363919617500530
    DOI: 10.1142/S1363919617500530
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. François Constant & Richard Calvi & Thomas Johnsen, 2020. "Managing tensions between exploitative and exploratory innovation through purchasing function ambidexterity Managing tensions between exploitative and exploratory innovation through purchasing functio," Post-Print hal-02891790, HAL.
    2. Janina Milena Goldberg & Holger Schiele, 2019. "Innovating With Dominant Suppliers: Lessons From The Race For Laser Light," International Journal of Innovation Management (ijim), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 24(01), pages 1-26, January.
    3. Homfeldt, Felix & Rese, Alexandra & Simon, Franz, 2019. "Suppliers versus start-ups: Where do better innovation ideas come from?," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(7), pages 1738-1757.
    4. Laurence Viale & Salomée Ruel & Dorsaf Zouari, 2022. "A mixed-methods approach to identifying buyers’ competencies for enabling innovation," Post-Print hal-03695531, HAL.

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