| dc.description.abstract | When a transnational corporation is setting up a supply chain in the
manufacturing industry in an emerging market, it is often necessary to have
well-established local sourcing connections. This is required in order to gain
cost advantages, and to shorten the development phase of components being
purchased. This thesis will examine the supply chain of Volvo Truck
Corporation in India, focusing on the relationship towards its suppliers with
international connections present in the Indian market. Volvo Truck
Corporation established its operations outside Bangalore in south India in 1998.
Presently, the company has a limited market share, although the company is
benefiting from its global brand reputation.
In order to understand and examine various relationships in Volvo Truck
Corporation’s supply chain, the authors have studied the activities, by using the
concept of technology transfers as a tool of measurement. This tool describes
how information, knowledge, skills and technology have been transferred
between different parties. In order to map these transfers occurring in Volvo
Truck Corporations supply chain, the authors have used a model designed by
UNCTAD.
The findings of this study can conclude that there is a two-way transfer of
technology between Volvo Truck Corporations and its international suppliers.
The majority of the transfers have included embodied technology from Volvo
Truck Corporations to its suppliers during the development of products ordered
by Volvo Truck Corporation. The transfers have mainly incorporated assistance
in providing machinery and equipment, and assistance regarding the
implementation of quality and environmental assurance systems. In addition to
this, the authors have defined a number of indicators, which categorize
different areas that are connected to the extent of technology transfers
necessary within a relationship. The categorizations are created in order to
simplify the efforts needed in order to strengthen the relationships. The analysis
has led the authors to formulate a number of recommendations with the
intention of developing Volvo Truck Corporation’s relationship towards its
suppliers. The overall recommendations encourage Volvo Truck Corporation toevaluate the technical standards of each supplier individually, and therefore
avoid misperceptions regarding a perceived higher technological standard of its
international suppliers. Furthermore, the authors believe that further
collaboration within the supply chain should be established. These
collaborations should focus on joint research and development and establishing
of co-operation clubs within the network of Volvo Truck Corporation. | swe |
