Inter-organisational Coordination in Ramp-up Execution: A Multiple Case Study

While fast product development with early prototyping and reduction of both cycle time and lead time are major concerns, there is little research on ramp up management. This paper examines the structural complexity of the ramp-up processes including the interactions with suppliers and analyses the degree of fragmentation in the process planning and execution. Resource dependence theory (RDT) is used as central explanatory framework for inter-organisational interdependencies formation throughout the planning and execution of the ramp-up activities and milestones. This study aims at exploring inter-firm resource dependence connections in production initiation and its influence upon the effectiveness of manufacturing ramp-up.