Access to Technical Assistance: A Case Study of Suppliers in the Malaysian Automotive Industry

Authors

  • Kadzrina Abdul Kadir School of Business Management Universiti Utara Malaysia, Malaysia
  • Hassan Ali School of Business Management Universiti Utara Malaysia, Malaysia
  • On Kit Tam College of Business RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32890/ijms2015.22.1.4

Keywords:

Supplier development, technical assistance, technology transfer, automotive industry, qualitative study, multiple-case study

Abstract

Technology transfer has been an important area in supplier development as suppliers are expected to develop their capabilities with their technical partners. The literature has focused on supplier development programmes implemented by automakers for their suppliers. However, less focus has been on the suppliers who received them, particularly the dependent suppliers: suppliers whose major buyers account for 20% or more of their sales. Thus, the aim of this paper is to examine the experiences of the dependent suppliers with their technical partners, which was part of the supplier development program that was implemented by their major buyers. This study was based on interviews with seven supplier organisations in the Malaysian automotive industry. Findings suggest that both positive and less positive experiences were received by the dependent suppliers, and possible explanations were discussed.
 
Keywords: Supplier development, technical assistance, technology transfer, automotive industry, qualitative study, multiple-case study.

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References

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Published

25-06-2015

Issue

Vol. 22 No. 1 (2015): International Journal of Management Studies (IJMS) Vol. 22, No. 1 June 2015

Section

Articles

Research impact

Harvested 2026-09-08
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Identifiers DOI 10.32890/ijms2015.22.1.4