Capabilities Required for Integrating External Innovations within the Automotive Ecosystem: A Case Study of Volvo Cars

Gergana Petrova Romanova, Vasiliki Baka, Kasper Rosenmejer

Abstract

The automotive industry has proven to be a turbulent and complex environment where innovations occur as incremental product improvements, co-developed with external actors. Volvo Cars is one of the important multi-national players in the automotive market, creating world-changing innovation, and currently adapting to the increased connectivity by integrating over-the-air methods for distributing car software. The digital transformation has forced automotive manufacturers to rethink what creates value in today’s digital world and put the existing capabilities to the test. In this study, we explore the current challenges in the complex ecosystem of the automotive sector and how digital technology is perceived, introduced and adopted in a setting typical for the industry. Our results suggest that the management recognizes the vast potential from the increased connectivity, however adopting over-the-air software updatability is characterized by lack of sound business cases and unclear strategic direction. In order to meet the challenges, we consider it crucial that Volvo engages in the development of strong capabilities for integrating, building and reconfiguring its core competences while focusing on exploring external sources of digital innovation.
Original languageEnglish
Publication date2017
Publication statusPublished - 2017
EventWorld Open Innovation Conference - San Francisco , San Francisco, United States
Duration: 7 Dec 20178 Dec 2017
https://woic.corporateinnovation.berkeley.edu/woic2017/program-2017/

Conference

ConferenceWorld Open Innovation Conference
LocationSan Francisco
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Francisco
Period07/12/201708/12/2017
Internet address

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