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Aerospace Supply Chains as Evolutionary Networks of Activities: Innovation via Risk‐Sharing Partnerships
Author(s) -
RoseAnderssen Christen,
Baldwin James S.,
Ridgway Keith,
Allen Peter M.,
Varga Liz
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
creativity and innovation management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.148
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1467-8691
pISSN - 0963-1690
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-8691.2008.00497.x
Subject(s) - supply chain , aerospace , business , expansive , industrial organization , competitive advantage , work (physics) , process management , knowledge management , marketing , computer science , engineering , mechanical engineering , compressive strength , materials science , composite material , aerospace engineering
In the aerospace industry competitive advantage is searched through product innovation. This paper sets out to explore the effects that relationship development in the commercial aerospace supply chains have on innovation and competitive advantage. A perspective of supply chains as complex activity networks is used for data analysis based on in‐depth interviews in a global setting. Applying these concepts of supply chains as the interaction of multiple work activities assists in comprehending the forces of change. The processes of change are characterized by expansive learning processes of creating instruments for initializing, developing and sustaining these relationships. These processes take place in a terrain of complex power exercises. The long‐term effects are totally dependent on nurturing the relationships. The findings may be useful to practitioners in understanding how implementation of successful supply chain changes may come about. It promotes risk‐sharing partnerships as instruments for innovation. The paper provides evidence of changing relationships in commercial aerospace supply chains.