Collaboration for Complex Products and Systems Innovation: The Case of Aerospace Industry Turkey

Abstract

This thesis focuses on the unique and complex innovation literature and its related projects, specifically Complex Products and Systems (CoPS). The aim is to explore the essential capabilities required for the successful execution of these projects, with a particular focus on Emerging Economies (EEs). These high-capital, high-tech, and engineering-intensive projects are considered sources of economic, technological, and innovation development for countries. Despite facing challenges, such as project funding, technology and knowledge acquisition and transfer, and resource allocation, EEs have managed through these obstacles, devised innovative solutions, and continued to develop. With a specific focus on the aerospace industry in Turkey, this thesis seeks to investigate the reasons and driving factors behind their success. The thesis is built upon three complementary studies. First, it is vital to provide effective reviews of the literature to identify areas to contribute to in the field. Hence, the first paper, presented in Chapter 2, is a review of the literature on the contribution of EEs to CoPS. This chapter combines a Bibliometric Analysis (BA) technique with a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) method and the paper has been submitted to and revised for the Management Review Quarterly. The second paper, presented in Chapter 3, introduces an innovative research methodology to overcome for practical obstacles of doing research in the specific context with an increased reliance of large textual data as a main input. This paper explores the novel applications and develops a novel approach, which combines Machine Learning (ML) techniques, specifically Topic Modeling (TM), with a traditional qualitative analysis method, Constructivist Grounded Theory (CGT). The paper has been published in the International Journal of Operations and Production Management. The third paper, presented in Chapter 4, focuses on the capabilities of individuals and explores the skills and abilities of Project Managers (PMs) in CoPS industries using the developed methodology. Overall, this thesis proposes a Relational Accountability competence framework which consists of Behavioural Skills and Managerial Abilities. The third paper has been submitted to and revised for the IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management and a version of it has been accepted and presented for the Academy of Management 2024 Annual Meeting.

Date of Award	24 Sept 2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	The University of Manchester
Supervisor	Lihong Zhang (Main Supervisor) & Richard Allmendinger (Co Supervisor)