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From A300 to A350: technical and organisational innovation trajectory of Airbus

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  • Med Kechidi

    (FRAMESPA - France, Amériques, Espagne – Sociétés, pouvoirs, acteurs - UT2J - Université Toulouse - Jean Jaurès - UT - Université de Toulouse - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to show that Airbus's success can be attributed to two types of factors. First, each new aircraft model has produced a technological breakthrough in the design and manufacturing of aircraft. Secondly, Airbus's capacity to evolve their industrial organisation model in keeping with technological transformations. In this trajectory, modularization and outsourcing policies have played major roles. In particular they play a major role in the emergence of new actors the pivot-firms. These firms have a critical position in management of technical and organizational interfaces between the architect-integrator and the firms participating in the design and production of aircrafts.

Suggested Citation

  • Med Kechidi, 2019. "From A300 to A350: technical and organisational innovation trajectory of Airbus," Post-Print hal-02025656, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-02025656
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://univ-tlse2.hal.science/hal-02025656
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    File URL: https://univ-tlse2.hal.science/hal-02025656/document
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

    Airbus; industrial organization; innovation; modularization; outsourcing; pivot-firm; Aeronautics Industry;
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