In the aerospace industry competitive advantage is searched through productinnovation. This paper sets out to explore the effects that relationshipdevelopment in the commercial aerospace supply chains have on innovation andcompetitive advantage. A perspective of supply chains as complex activitynetworks is used for data analysis based on in-depth interviews in a globalsetting. Applying these concepts of supply chains as the interaction of multiplework activities assists in comprehending the forces of change. The processes ofchange are characterized by expansive learning processes of creating instrumentsfor initializing, developing and sustaining these relationships. These processestake place in a terrain of complex power exercises. The long-term effects aretotally dependent on nurturing the relationships. The findings may be useful topractitioners in understanding how implementation of successful supply chainchanges may come about. It promotes risk-sharing partnerships as instruments forinnovation. The paper provides evidence of changing relationships in commercialaerospace supply chains.
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