A MODEL FOR FLEXIBILITY ANALYSIS IN THE BRAZILIAN AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY: A CASE STUDY PERFORMED IN THREE CAR ASSEMBLY PLANTS

Abstract

Flexibility is brought about by the interaction of factors both within and outside a company.  We can therefore assert that the attainment of flexibility is dependent on the type of process employed, the product, the market, competition strategies, organization and labor relations.  In short, it will depend on the whole range of relations within the company and in the management of the work involved.  Among the new strategies being implemented by automotive assembly plants in Brazil, new network production systems such as the “industrial condominium” and the “modular consortium” stand out as means toward achieving flexibility.  In this context, the aim of this study is to analyze flexibility in the Brazilian automotive field based on case studies in three automotive plants.  These studies show that the process of attaining flexibility bears greater relation to organizational factors rather than to technological ones.  We present an analysis model which focuses on flexibility variables in companies operating in this field.  These variables have been classified into two categories:  internal and external.  On the basis of the proposed model, the study shows that the Brazilian context presents excellent conditions for setting up a type of automotive plant with a predominantly assembly plant profile, where flexibility can be achieved without any legally imposed obligation to invest in technology. The methodology used in this study includes bibliographical research in Brazilian and international publications, field work carried out through interviews with employees working at different levels, active observation and analysis of company documents.