01 | 2015 msg systems study

Preface Prof. Dr.-Ing.

Preface Prof. Dr.-Ing. Günther Seliger With modern societies turning more and more into a global village, “coopetition“ is, for global companies, becoming the name of the game. The logic behind this concept is simple: under the premise that “only the one who knows best the challenges I am facing can help me overcome them”, numerous companies have sought lately to establish collaborations with their closest competitors in order to foster technological development in a specific area. This approach can be extrapolated to a country level. Traditional industrialized countries such as Germany have long faced procurement and cost competition challenges especially in the manufacturing scene. China on the other hand, as the biggest emergent economy is also starting to face the establishment of lower-cost competitors in other emerging economies in the region. The question is then, how can, under these circumstances, both economies maintain their respective commercial and technological leadership in a growingly global competitive environment, whilst at the same time securing sustainability in their resource consumption and manufacturing processes? The present study intends to offer a contribution towards understanding the perception European and Western companies have gained when it comes to quality and sustainability standards observed by Chinese suppliers and networks, as well as the influence new emerging economies are having in the Asian giant´s commercial strategies. The results are relevant for those seeking to build up their “coopetitive” partnerships with local Chinese producers and supply chains. Wishing you an enjoyable read. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Günther Seliger Technische Universität Berlin Chair of Assembly Technologies and Factory Management Head of Department The answer lies, at least partially, in the development of strong and trustworthy supply chains and manufacturing networks oriented towards the upholding of high quality and sustainability standards, which both countries (with granted, surely different degrees of success) have been developing in the last decades. 3