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Restructuring of automotive supply-chains: the role of workforce skills in Germany and Britain

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  • Geoff Mason
  • Karin Wagner

Abstract

The recent restructuring of automotive supply-chains in response to intense competitive pressures has led to rapid change in, and upgrading of, the skills required by automotive component suppliers. In this paper we compare matched samples of Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers in Germany and Britain in order to examine how the ability of suppliers to develop the required new skills has been affected by the comparative strengths and weaknesses of the two countries' vocational education and training (VET) systems. Our findings suggest that higher levels of craft apprentice training in German establishments give them an advantage over their British counterparts in responding flexibly to changes in markets, technologies and supply-chains. Furthermore, the engineering and commercial graduates produced by German Fachhochschulen help German suppliers to improve design skills relatively quickly and to manage long-term relationships with local supply-chain partners.

Suggested Citation

  • Geoff Mason & Karin Wagner, 2005. "Restructuring of automotive supply-chains: the role of workforce skills in Germany and Britain," International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 5(4), pages 387-410.
    • Handle: RePEc:ids:ijatma:v:5:y:2005:i:4:p:387-410
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Ryan, Paul & Wagner, Karin & Teuber, Silvia & Backes-Gellner, Uschi, 2011. "Financial aspects of apprenticeship training in Germany, Great Britain an Switzerland / Finanzielle Aspekte der betrieblichen Ausbildung in Deutschland, Großbritannien und der Schweiz," Arbeitspapiere 241, Hans-Böckler-Stiftung, Düsseldorf.
    2. A. R. Kemal, 2005. "Skill Development in Pakistan," The Pakistan Development Review, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, vol. 44(4), pages 349-357.
    3. Geoff Mason, 2014. "Skills and training for a more innovation-intensive economy," National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) Discussion Papers 431, National Institute of Economic and Social Research.
    4. Karin Wanger, 2005. "Productivity and Skills in Industry and Services-A Britian-German Comparison," The Pakistan Development Review, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, vol. 44(4), pages 411-438.
    5. Paul Lewis, 2020. "Developing Technician Skills for Innovative Industries: Theory, Evidence from the UK Life Sciences Industry, and Policy Implications," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 58(3), pages 617-643, September.

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