Implementation of Corporate Production Systems in the Brazilian auto industry: managing knowledge through practice

Abstract

This paper discusses, from a Knowledge Management perspective, how leading automakers and autopart suppliers are struggling to reinforce competitiveness, by conceiving and deploying their proper Corporate Production System (CPS) as a means to drive the revamping of manufacturing operations. Based on the investigation of exemplary cases, the paper examines the adoption of such prescriptive systems, focusing on the process of its company-wide implementation, and finds that this process becomes a strong learning mechanism. As the CPS elements are replicated and incorporated in the company practice, this approach leverages performance by nurturing the 'knowledge-as-action' perspective and ultimately provides a source of dynamic capability.