The logistics of the manufacturing industry – an innovation system analysis
Overview
Background & policy context:
Innovations, in the framework given for this study, are characterised by improvement of a process, an organisation of a method. The result of an innovation shows as reduction of costs or increase of revenues through improvements of logistics result variables.
Thus, the innovation system of the manufacturing industry's logistics is not about inventing, developing and marketing new products, or solving functionality problems with established products. Rather, it is about generating new ideas and implementing them, for instance as process changes, new methods and ways of work, new flow structures and new organisations.
Objectives:
The purpose of the innovations system analysis is to map and characterise the innovation system of the Swedish manufacturing industry and the involved logistics service providers. The analysis provides input to VINNOVA's R&D programme in the growth area of Innovative logistic systems and freight transport to govern R&D investments 2004 to 2007.The R&D programme is intended to support both shippers and logistics service providers implying that the innovation system analyses provides a holistic view upon logistics and covers the full supply chains.
Methodology:
The project was based upon literature studies, but mainly through interviews with industry organisations in the manufacturing field. In addition, selected manufacturing companies and their logistics service providers were interviewed. Three smaller case studies provided a deeper picture of the industry.
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