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Hu, Jiayao (2017) Examining supply chain quality management in the Chinese automobile industry. PhD thesis, University of Nottingham.

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Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to understand what supply chain quality management (SCQM) is and to examine SCQM practices in the Chinese automobile industry by comparing the different SCQM implementation between Chinese Self-owned Brands (CSBs) and Joint Ventures (JVs). This thesis attempts to reveal and understand SCQM practices in order to provide new insights in dealing with quality issues along the supply chain. Hence, in this thesis three research questions (RQs) are explored and answered: RQ1) What are the main factors impacting on SCQM in the Chinese automobile industry? RQ2) What are the differences between CSBs and JVs in the field of SCQM? RQ3) Why do such differences occur?

A mixed research methodology was implemented to answer these three RQs. First, a case study in seven Chinese automobile companies was conducted. Resulting from this qualitative method, this research proposes a robust SCQM framework and generates SCQM measurements. SCQM is conceptualised as a multidimensional construct and the framework is composed of companywide quality management, supplier-side SCQM, customer-side SCQM, and performance. The measurement model evaluation, structural model evaluation, and multigroup analysis were conducted in sequence to investigate multi-dimensionality of SCQM, test the relationships among these dimensions, and clarify the different SCQM between CSBs and JVs. Variance-based structural equation modelling of Partial Least Square (PLS) on the platform of Smart-PLS 3.0 was used to analyse the 196 quantitative data that were collected from CSBs and JVs. Further, six follow-up interviews were then conducted to identify the root causes of the findings of the survey study.

This research finds that companywide quality management cannot directly influence operational performance due to the complexity of China’s automobile supply chain. It illustrates that customer-side SCQM practices have the most significant influence on operational performance. This study also clarifies that ownership bears a critical impact on the relationship between customer-side SCQM practices and operational performance. It extends the SCQM literature by studying a large number of automobile companies in China and comparing the different supply chain level quality practices between CSBs and JVs. It provides good breadth to the literature by answering the calls for ownership and emerging market research. This thesis also enhances the understanding of managers about the best SCQM practices to assist companies in moving from their current practices to their preferred one. It also illustrates significant directions for supply chain level quality system designs for automobile companies.

Item Type:	Thesis (University of Nottingham only) (PhD)
Supervisors:	Braziotis, Christos Tan, Kim Hua
Keywords:	Business logistics, Automobile industry and trade, China, Joint ventures
Subjects:	H Social sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor
Faculties/Schools:	UK Campuses > Faculty of Social Sciences, Law and Education > Nottingham University Business School
Item ID:	43463
Depositing User:	HU, JIAYAO
Date Deposited:	14 Jul 2017 04:40
Last Modified:	09 Jan 2018 15:34
URI:	https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/43463

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