Strategic outsourcing, innovation and global supply Chains. A case from the aviation industry.

This volume offers a comprehensive overview of the decision-making models for outsourcing strategic activities. The proposed model suggests a valuable approach to outsourcing the decision-making strategies for new product development when the innovation is driven by technological innovation. The reader will find a more exhaustive framework than has appeared in the literature so far. It presents an integrated set of dimensions that may be helpful when a firm has to decide what kind of new product innovation activities (or strategic activities in general) it needs to outsource – and when. This decision-making model acknowledges the complexity of outsourcing strategic activities, making it an effective support for the decision-maker. This integrated perspective combines a theoretical framework with practical solutions for concrete action and management. The Boeing 787 programme case study (Chapter 4) provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges that outsourcing product innovation can entail when a global supply chain is involved. It also considers the implication of these changes with regards to technologically complex products such as commercial aircraft, whose innovation depends on technological development, and especially new materials.