Europas eigener Weg

摘要

The author discusses pro and cons concerning the hypothesis of a distinctive European approach regarding its automotive system. Its aim is to develop an international comparison of the structural changes in the international automotive industry. A special focus is laid on the ways of coordinating competencies and knowledge. What are the differences that set the European industry apart from its North American and Japanese competitors in this regard? The concepts developed during the restructuring phase of the car component industry in the 1990s in particular helped Europe acquire a competitive edge in the development of specific abilities in intercorporational and inter-organisational cooperation. This article originated within the framework of the research programme "Coordinating Competencies and Knowledge in the European Automobile System" (CoCKEAS). The CoCKEAS programme was sponsored by the International Research Network for the Automobile Industry (GERPISA) and the European Union.