Evaluation of Cooperative Planning in Supply Chains: An Empirical Approach of the European Automotive Industry (Produktion und Logistik)

The acknowledgement that a network of cooperating companies, e.g. a supply chain, could be more successful in achieving competitive advantage than individual businesses, constitutes one of the most significant paradigm shifts in modern business management as it leaves behind the notion of adversarial companies engaged in fierce competition with one another in order to gain a competitive advantage. The “Survival of the Fittest” in what has been called “The Era of Network Competition” depends on how well companies are able to structure, coordinate, and manage relationships with their business partners. In their search for the best possible place under the sun, companies have redefined their understanding of cooperation and have not only improved the efficiency of cooperation with partners (e.g. suppliers, customers, and complementors) but also discovered the existence of synergies with competitors. The apparently paradoxical situation of cooperating with competitors (or it might be thought of as competing with cooperating partners) shows that collaboration is a widespread approach at all levels of strategic management. In light of these thoughts, the question arises why there are still companies that neither cooperate with business partners nor with competitors; although it seems obvious that this could be advantageous. This work attempts to offer an answer to this question. UNESCO biosphere reserves are full of life. Here, people put sustainable development into practice: economic, ecological, social and cultural objectives are pursued, conserving precious natural spaces in the process. People are opening up new opportunities for today and are taking responsibility for future generations. What could be more exciting than a look at new ways into the future? The 14 biosphere reserves in Germany are part of a world network of 440 areas in the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB). Founded in the 1970s to research the relationship between man and the environment, biosphere reserves have been developed into model regions for sustainable development since the 1992 Rio Conference. This publication gives an overview of developments to date and the new direction for the MAB Programme in Germany. The generally valid guidelines for the conservation, care and development of these areas are explained. Various project examples from practice and research bear witness to the living implementation of the Programme in the German UNESCO biosphere reserves Luis Martín Díaz shows why some companies are still reluctant to cooperate with partners in the supply chain even though it may be advantageous to them. Based on an extensive survey within the European automotive industry, he proposes solutions to this paradox and describes a prototype for the assessment of the added-value of cooperation.