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Toward a More Embedded Production System? Automotive Supply Networks and Localized Capabilities in Poland

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  • BOLESŁAW DOMAŃSKI
  • KRZYSZTOF GWOSDZ

Abstract

The article addresses the embeddedness of automotive production in Poland in terms of supply networks. A comprehensive analysis of more than 550 suppliers, supported by company interviews, shows that foreign‐owned producers become embedded in Poland in the automotive supplier networks they have largely created themselves. Numerous local suppliers gain access to export markets and become integrated in a Europe‐wide production system. This trend has been accompanied by significant upgrading of foreign affiliates and domestic firms in terms of product quality, cost efficiency, adaptability, and fast response, but far less in nonproduction competences such as R&D. It is argued that the competences of automotive suppliers in Poland are built upon the localized capabilities, which are a product of the dynamic interplay between the activity of foreign firms and the changing local environment comprising various stakeholders. The localized capabilities constitute elements of a company's sunk costs and are embedding automotive producers in Poland. At the same time, the dependence on decisions and innovations from abroad and the limited development of local design and brands may constrain the future role of suppliers from the semiperipheral economy of Poland.

Suggested Citation

  • Bolesław Domański & Krzysztof Gwosdz, 2009. "Toward a More Embedded Production System? Automotive Supply Networks and Localized Capabilities in Poland," Growth and Change, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 40(3), pages 452-482, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:growch:v:40:y:2009:i:3:p:452-482
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-2257.2009.00490.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Krasniqi, Besnik & Ahmetbasić, Jasmina & Bartlett, Will, 2022. "Foreign direct investment and backward spillovers in the Western Balkans: the context, opportunities and barriers to the development of regional supply chains," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 115391, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    3. Vincent FRIGANT, 2011. "French mega-suppliers’ trajectories during the modular era: some evidences on Faurecia, Valeo and Plastic Omnium," Cahiers du GREThA (2007-2019) 2011-20, Groupe de Recherche en Economie Théorique et Appliquée (GREThA).
    4. Simona, Gentile-Lüdecke & Axèle, Giroud, 2012. "Knowledge Transfer from TNCs and Upgrading of Domestic Firms: The Polish Automotive Sector," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 40(4), pages 796-807.
    5. Jacob A Jordaan, 2017. "Producer firms, technology diffusion and spillovers to local suppliers: Examining the effects of Foreign Direct Investment and the technology gap," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 49(12), pages 2718-2738, December.
    6. Grodzicki, Maciej J. & Możdżeń, Michał, 2021. "Central and Eastern European economies in a Goldilocks age: A model of labor market institutional choice," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).
    7. Thomas Klier & Daniel McMillen, 2015. "Plant Location Patterns in the European Automobile Supplier Industry," Growth and Change, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 46(4), pages 558-573, December.
    8. Vincent FRIGANT, 2013. "Une comparaison de l’internationalisation des chaînes d’approvisionnement automobiles allemande et française," Cahiers du GREThA (2007-2019) 2013-09, Groupe de Recherche en Economie Théorique et Appliquée (GREThA).
    9. Davide Bubbico, 2014. "Economic Actors and Local Institutions in Activities in Support of the Automotive Sector in Southern Italy," QA - Rivista dell'Associazione Rossi-Doria, Associazione Rossi Doria, issue 4, January.
    10. Jan Stejskal & Petr Hajek & Oto Hudec (ed.), 2018. "Knowledge Spillovers in Regional Innovation Systems," Advances in Spatial Science, Springer, number 978-3-319-67029-4.
    11. Vincent FRIGANT & Jean-Bernard LAYAN, 2010. "A comparative analysis of automobile parts trade exchange between France and Germany: crossing international economics and industrial dynamics (In French)," Cahiers du GREThA (2007-2019) 2010-17, Groupe de Recherche en Economie Théorique et Appliquée (GREThA).

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