Innovation in automotive telematics services: characteristics of the field and management principles. (1st January 2003)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lenfle, Sylvain; Midler, Christophe
• Is Part Of: International journal of automotive technology and management. Volume 3:Number 1/2(2003)
• Page Start: 144
• Page End: 159
• Publication Date: 2003-01-01
• Subjects: telematics -- innovation management -- services -- automotive; Automobile industry and trade -- Management -- Periodicals; 338.456292068
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1470-9511

Abstract

The growing role of innovation in the strategy of car manufacturers leads them to relentlessly look for new sources of differentiation. In this way, telematics, a suite of technologies centred on communications systems within cars, is expected to bolster the car industry by offering a new stream of revenues. This article focuses on the impact of this technology on design organisation. In the first part, we demonstrate that telematics is a radical innovation for automotive industry. Therefore, traditional design models, such as heavyweight project management, are unsuitable. Next, the paper studies the organisation adopted by a European car manufacturer in the light of recent research on the management of innovation.