Challenges between Competition and Collaboration

This book, a byproduct of the Brussels conference "Challenges Between Competition and Collaboration—the Future of the European Manufacturing Industry," is intended to help business managers identify the challenge of remaining competitive while collaborating with suppliers, manufacturers, and customers. The overall theme of the conference was how companies balance their relationships with one another as both competitors and collaborators. The editors include the risks, benefits, and success factors within the topic areas of plant engineering, automotive supply, e-marketplaces, product development, and technology. In particular, the automotive industry is highlighted as an example of how emerging alliances are taking place as companies struggle to maintain that competition-collaboration balance.