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Automation Strategies at the First-Tier Suppliers in Japan: Process Development and Product Trajectory. Hypothesis on the Supplier-Assembler Relationship

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Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to present some hypotheses on assembly automation strategies at “sfirst-tire” auto parts suppliers in Japan. By assembly automation strategy, we mean a coherent set of decisions on building and utilizing capabilities of assembly automation in order to improve manufacturing performance.

This paper is an outcome from the research project which is financially supported by The Matsushita International Foundation and The Ministry of Education,Science,Sports and Culture of Japan (Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A) (1) 08303012). The author is grateful to Prof. Koichi Shimokawa (Hosei University) and Prof. Takahiro Fujimoto (University of Tokyo) for constructive comments.

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© 1999 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Amikura, H. (1999). Automation Strategies at the First-Tier Suppliers in Japan: Process Development and Product Trajectory. Hypothesis on the Supplier-Assembler Relationship. In: Comacchio, A., Volpato, G., Camuffo, A. (eds) Automation in Automotive Industries. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-59864-7_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-59864-7_6

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