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Just-in-Time Manufacturing Systems, Subcontracting and Geographic Proximity

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  • Adelheid Holl
  • Rafael Pardo
  • Ruth Rama

Abstract

Holl A., Pardo R. and Rama R. Just-in-Time manufacturing systems, subcontracting and geographic proximity, Regional Studies. The paper studies the spatial extent of subcontracting linkages for a sample of medium-sized and large Spanish manufacturing firms operating in the automotive and electronics industries. In particular, it analyses how Just-in-Time (JIT) organization of production is related to the spatial pattern of these sourcing relationships when contractors' structural and organizational characteristics, as well as contract characteristics, are taken into account. It is found that firms that implement new technologies and manufacturing systems at the plant level tend to prefer regional to extra-regional outsourcing. This is consistent with Just-in-Time's reliance on flexibility in ordering and quick and frequent deliveries, as well as reliable arrival times, to guarantee the disruption-free production which proximity can facilitate. The results support the view that Just-in-Time, in the context of production subcontracting, increases the importance of proximity. [image omitted] Holl A., Pardo R. et Rama R. La production a flux tendus, la sous-traitance et la proximite geographique, Regional Studies. Cet article cherche a etudier la portee geographique de la sous-traitance pour un echantillon d'entreprises moyennes et grandes espagnoles des secteurs automobile et electronique. En particulier, on analyse comment la production a flux tendus se rapporte a la distribution geographique des fournisseurs, compte tenu des caracteristiques structurelles et organisationnelles, ainsi que contractuelles. Il s'avere que les entreprises qui mettent en application les nouvelles technologies et les nouveaux procedes au niveau de l'etablissement ont tendance a preferer la sous-traitance regionale a la sous-traitance externe. Cela correspond a la dependance de la production a flux tendus de la flexibilite des commandes et des livraisons en temps utile, aussi bien que des delais de livraison surs, afin d'assurer la production continue que permet la flexibilite. Les resultats confirment que la production a flux tendus, dans le cadre de la production sous-traitee, augmente l'importance de la proximite. Production a flux tendus Nouvelle technologie industrielle Sous-traitance Proximite Agglomeration Holl A., Pardo R. und Rama R. Just-in-Time Produktionssysteme, Auftragsweitervergabe und geografische Nahe, Regional Studies. In dieser Studie wird die Reichweite von Vernetzungen durch Auftragsweitervergabe, anhand einer Stichprobe von mittelgrossen und grossen spanischen herstellenden Firmen in der Auto- und Elektronikindustrie, untersucht. Insbesondere untersuchen wir den Zusammenhang zwischen Just-in-Time (JIT) Produktionsorganisation und dem raumlich Verhalten dieser Akquisitionbeziehungen, wenn strukturelle und organisatorische Merkmale der Auftraggeber, sowie auch Vertragsmerkale berucksichtigt werden. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass Firmen, die neue Technologien und Produktionsysteme auf Betriebsebene implementieren, eher zu regionalem als zu ausser-regionalem Outsourcing neigen. Dies steht in Einklang mit Just-in-Times Notwendigkeit fur Flexibilitat bei Bestellungen, rascher und haufiger Lieferungen, wie auch zuverlassiger Ankunftszeiten, um eine von Unterbrechungen freie Produktion zu garantieren. Unsere Ergebnisse stutzen die Ansicht, dass Just-in-Time im Zusammenhang der Auftragsweitervergabe die Bedeutung von Proximitat steigert. Just-in-Time (JIT) Neue Produktionstechnologien Auftragsweitervergabe Nahe Agglomeration Holl A., Pardo R. y Rama R. Sistemas de produccion 'just-in-time', subcontratacion y proximidad geografica, Regional Studies. Este articulo estudia la dimension espacial de las relaciones de subcontratacion en una muestra de empresas industriales de tamano mediano y grande que operan en las industrias espanolas del automovil y la electronica. En particular, analizamos como la organizacion 'Just-in-Time' (JIT) de la produccion se relaciona con el patron espacial de dichas relaciones de subcontratacion cuando se tienen en cuenta las caracteristicas estructurales y organizativas de los clientes (subcontratantes). Encontramos que las empresas que han adoptado nuevas tecnologias y sistemas de produccion al nivel del establecimiento industrial tienden a preferir subcontratar regionalmente, mas bien que extra-regionalmente. Este hallazgo es coherente con las necesidades de los sistemas 'Just-in-Time' en terminos de flexibilidades en los pedidos, rapidas y frecuentes entregas, asi como fechas de llegada confiables que permitan garantizar un sistema de produccion libre de interrupciones facilitado por la proximidad. Nuestros resultados apoyan el punto de vista de que, en el contexto de la subcontratacion productiva, 'Just-in-Time' incrementa la importancia de la proximidad. Just-in-Time (JIT) Nueva tecnologia de fabricacion Subcontratacion Proximidad Aglomeracion

Suggested Citation

  • Adelheid Holl & Rafael Pardo & Ruth Rama, 2010. "Just-in-Time Manufacturing Systems, Subcontracting and Geographic Proximity," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 44(5), pages 519-533.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:regstd:v:44:y:2010:i:5:p:519-533
    DOI: 10.1080/00343400902821626
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    5. Frigant, Vincent & Miollan, Stéphane, 2014. "The geographical restructuring of the European automobile industry in the 2000s," MPRA Paper 53509, University Library of Munich, Germany.
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    9. Frigant, Vincent, 2014. "Une comparaison de la fragmentation internationale des chaînes d’approvisionnement automobiles allemande et française," Revue de la Régulation - Capitalisme, institutions, pouvoirs, Association Recherche et Régulation, vol. 15.
    10. Vincent FRIGANT & Stéphane MIOLLAN, 2014. "La restructuration de la géographie de l’industrie automobile en Europe durant les années 2000," Cahiers du GREThA (2007-2019) 2014-02, Groupe de Recherche en Economie Théorique et Appliquée (GREThA).
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