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Role for international vertical joint ventures within an automobile industry paradigm: a case study of MG Rover in comparison with the global automobile industry.

Wynn-Williams, Michael S. 2007. Role for international vertical joint ventures within an automobile industry paradigm: a case study of MG Rover in comparison with the global automobile industry. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.

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Abstract

This research puts forward a conceptual framework for automobile companies by constructing an automobile industry paradigm. The precepts of the paradigm are based upon investigations of transaction costs and economies of scale. This results in a full-function model of vertical integration for an automobile firm operating with prescribed levels of production output. The research then uses historical case studies and empirical data to look at the extent to which automobile companies are competitive within the paradigm, particular reference being made to the main case study company, MG Rover. Contextual empirical data was gathered using semi-structured elite interview techniques conducted with senior executives throughout the automobile industry in the UK and Japan. Through survivor analysis and investigation of leading plant sizes the research found that although there is a minimum efficient scale (MES) for a company, this being the prototypical automobile firm with optimal output MESp, there are additional advantages to be gained from output expansion. Conversely, firms that are wholly uncompetitive can replicate the prototypical model by exploiting divisibilities due to differences between human and capital assets as well as international factor endowment differentiation. The organisational structure for achieving this is the international vertical joint venture (IVJV). There is evidence to suggest that MG Rover was moving towards this type of structure but was precluded from doing so due to its financial collapse in April 2005. Since then, the purchasers of MG Rover's assets, SAIC and NAC of China, have separately continued with variations of the IVJV structure in order to approximate to the requirements of the automobile industry paradigm.

Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
Status: Unpublished
Schools: Business (Including Economics)
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HE Transportation and Communications
ISBN: 9781303182044
Funders: EPSRC, Trend Tracker Ltd
Date of First Compliant Deposit: 30 March 2016
Last Modified: 10 Jan 2018 05:37
URI: https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/55678

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