Collaborative Innovation in the Italian Automotive Supply-Chain

This chapter investigates the interorganizational relationships and dynamics of innovation within the automotive industry, characterized by a hierarchical structure involving original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and specialized suppliers. This structure fosters extensive information sharing and close collaboration among the actors. The results emphasize the importance of making effective governance choices and developing strong relationships for Italian automotive suppliers in order to navigate technological transitions successfully and achieve collaborative innovation performance. The study reveals that governance choices, which are influenced by contextual factors and organizational practices, can either facilitate or impede innovation outcomes. While informal mechanisms have traditionally played a vital role in collaborative innovation, their effectiveness may be diminished in contexts of high technological uncertainty and intense industry competition. The findings underscore the critical need to comprehend governance choices and interorganizational relationships for suppliers operating in the innovation-driven automotive industry, particularly during periods of significant change.