Product Platform Integration Strategies

Abstract

Industrialised house-building is a delivery method that combines the know-how of many companies that standardise a part of their production within a common product platform and connect it with a unified interface. This way, organisations can adopt product customisation while keeping the advantages of mass production. Furthermore, those platforms create supplier networks that enable more efficient retention and exploitation of knowledge, leading to continuous improvement in product development. Firms that in traditional construction compete in IHB collaborate within the platform. However, the integration strategies that the product platform owner utilises to integrate this supplier network are underexplored by academics. In addition, the aspects of the IHB product platforms to be integrated are not sufficiently described. The research fills this gap by complementing existing research and conducting case studies from practice. Two case studies assess supplier networks in the platform, their level of integration and suppliers’ role in product platform development. The place of origin of those platforms differs; one is based in Sweden, and the second one is in the Czech Republic. It provides a broader scope of study and variability of setting. Several objectives and challenges for integrations are discovered in the three strategic levels that influence the strategy formulation. The thesis provides an integration strategy framework for platform owners who strive to establish or strengthen such a product platform. The framework will make it easier for platform owners to navigate ways to build and integrate relationships across the supply chain. Furthermore, four product platform element strategies are introduced.