Superfactuals, Structural Repertoires and Productive Units: Explaining the Evolution of the British Auto Industry

Author: Clark, Peter

Source: Competition & Change, Volume 10, Number 4, December 2006 , pp. 393-410(18)

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Abstract:

This article seeks to demonstrate the use of superfactuals combining structural repertoires and product units for analyzing the elective affinities between corporate strategic choices and their contexts, typically national domestic contexts. By focusing on Rover, the producer of quality saloon cars within the British Leyland galaxy, this article develops the following superfactual proposition: 'Even if British Leyland focused on quality saloon and sports vehicles, the British-owned car industry would have suffered terminal failure.' On this basis, the article develops a new counterfactual proposition: 'Had Rover sold its saloon operations to British Leyland while focusing on the production and development of its 4WD products, the company would have probably survived as a British-owned concern.' The perspective of structural repertoires in a morphological perspective provides a sound basis for actionable strategic knowledge, especially when combined with superfactuals and counterfactuals.

Keywords: SUPERFACTUALS; CAR INDUSTRY; PRODUCTIVE UNITS; COUNTERFACTUALS; STRUCTURAL REPERTOIRES

Document Type: Research Article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1179/102452906X161012

Publication date: 2006-12-01

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