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- Berggren, Christian, et al.
(författare)
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Era of ferment and the challenge to the dominant powertrain design in the heavy vehicle industry
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- After an extended period of technological stability, the automotive industry has entered an era of ferment, triggered by regulatory, economic and technological changes. This ferment has also spread to powertrain development in the industry´s most conservative and least researched sector, heavy vehicles. All European heavy truck and bus majors are now experimenting with new powertrain technologies in small series, mostly in buses, and hybrid system suppliers from other industries have also entered the field. In an unprecedented move, Volvo departed from the industry majors´ cautious approach by launching a completely new powertrain platform for the London hybrid bus trial 2010-2012, and making this platform the standard for its future city buses in Europe. Does this signal an end to the industry´s persistent mono-design regime in powertrains? By employing a longitudinal approach, comparing Volvo and its niche-focused competitors both in the development and early market stages, the paper investigates the technology and market challenges involved in this discontinuous innovation, from technology selection and knowledge sourcing to market launch and the struggle to increase volume and reduce costs. The study brings new insights to the criticality of integrated rather than separated or modular approaches when developing technologies for discontinuous innovation in complex products; the need for manufacturers to make use of, but also to escape from idiosyncratic market niches; and the importance of broad competitive entries to seriously challenge dominant designs in this industry.
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| 2. |
- Berggren, Christian, et al.
(författare)
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Hybrids, diesel or both? The forgotten technological competition for sustainable solutions in the global automotive industry
- 2009
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Ingår i: International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management. - Bucks, United Kingdom : InderScience Publishers. - 1470-9511. ; 9:2, s. 148-173
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Rising fuel prices and tightening regulations to curb greenhouse gases and other emissions have changed the parameters of competition in the global automotive industry, introducing new uncertainties, increased variation and technological turbulence. Many studies focus on the potential performance of alternative technologies, from fuel cells to battery electric cars. This paper starts from the other end: the competition unfolding in the real marketplace between todays most important fuel-saving technologies: the new gasoline hybrid electric vehicle versus the old but continuously evolving diesel power train. In the paper, these technological options are related to the evolution of the European and US markets and the innovation and sourcing strategies of Japanese and European manufacturers. A central finding is that the advent of the hybrid power train has intensified technological competition within the industry, but that it stands no real chance of replacing the evolving diesel in the foreseeable future. However, the competitiveness of technological trajectories must be distinguished from the fate of the firms engaged in these technologies. The paper ends with a discussion of the key factors influencing the outcome of this technology contest between the leading Japanese and European manufacturers.
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| 7. |
- Berggren, Christian, et al.
(författare)
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Transition pathways revisited: Established firms as multi-level actors in the heavy vehicle industry
- 2015
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Ingår i: Research Policy. - : Elsevier. - 0048-7333 .- 1873-7625. ; 44:5, s. 1017-1028
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The multi-level perspective on sustainability transitions positions established firms (incumbents) as defenders of existing technologies at the "regime level." By contrast, it positions new entrants at the niche level, as promoters of new technologies. This paper challenges the positioning of firms as actors on either regime or niche levels. Based on a comparative analysis of technology strategies in the heavy vehicle industry, the paper shows that established firms are active at both levels, developing several technology alternatives simultaneously. This means that incumbents technology strategies determine important parts of the required niche regime interactions. The paper also shows how incumbents may pursue contrasting technology strategies. While some adopt a dualistic approach, keeping regime and niche level activities technologically and commercially separate, others develop integrated strategies where niche activities are leveraged to impact upon the regime level. The cases studied illustrate how the success of such integrated strategies depends on the emergence of bridging policies. Bridging policies are relevant both for linking early niche markets to broader regime-level markets, and for supporting further technological advancements of niche markets. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 9. |
- Sushandoyo, Dedy, et al.
(författare)
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A two-way relationship between multi-level technological change and organisational characteristics : cases involving the development of heavy hybrid buses
- 2012
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Ingår i: Technovation. - : Elsevier. - 0166-4972 .- 1879-2383. ; 32:7-8, s. 477-486
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper analyses inter- and intra-organisational interaction in cases of product development, which involves significantly new technologies that affect core product sub-systems. The analysis shows that in such cases, there is a need to collaborate with suppliers to learn about the new technology. Moreover, provided that the firm's existing technology is still relevant, there is a need to integrate the new technology with existing technologies. Therefore, close supplier interaction has to be associated with close intra-organisational interaction. However, even a case where there is a limited need to integrate the new technology with existing technologies, there is a need to justify the new technology internally and negotiate the process of adopting it within the organisation. The paper thus demonstrates a two-way relationship between organisational characteristics and multi-level technological change. On the one hand, different types of technological changes demand different kinds of R&D organisations and supplier relationships. On the other hand, decisions to implement technological changes are influenced by existing organisational structures and product development philosophies.
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| 10. |
- Sushandoyo, Dedy, et al.
(författare)
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Greening public transportation: a radical design and power-train project at an incrementalist innovator : The case of the series-hybrid bus project at Scania Trucks
- 2010
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Ingår i: International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management. - : Inderscience Publishers. - 1741-5012. ; 10:1, s. 93-114
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Sustainable mobility requires innovation in public transportation. This paper provides an in-depth perspective on how a heavy vehicle maker with an entrenched tradition of incremental innovations is grappling to develop a radically new city bus with a series hybrid power-train. The study illustrates the managerial challenges involved in this innovation: the need for the company to exploit its core capabilities in areas such as diesel technology and modular design, and at the same time to overcome core rigidities embedded in its tradition of developing new vehicles in carefully planned small steps. The paper shows how the firm is responding to these challenges by using unconventional methods, such as the concurrent development of a new power-train and new bus designs, public demonstrations of early prototypes, advanced customer field testing, the creation of new competence structures, and the use of international events to set hard deadlines and maintain momentum.
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