Strategic Outsourcing, Innovation and Global Supply Chains: A Case Study from the Aviation Industry

Decision-making on outsourcing new product development (especially innovation projects), such as engaging and managing the supply chain, is far from easy. It may involve addressing strategic and operational risks that might cause longer development times and increase innovations costs. It is, therefore, imperative to select suppliers very carefully and set up an effective management strategy vis-à-vis the supply partners right from the inception phase. Supply chain management is facing enormous challenges, driven by interrelated disruptions that will have a vast and lasting impact.

Based on a relevant case study, Boeing 787 Dreamliner programme, 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.

Luigi Cantone is a Full Professor of Marketing and Strategic Management in

the Department of Economics, Management, Institutions at Federico II University

of Naples, Italy. His research interests focus on the issues of brand

management, place marketing, strategic outsourcing, and business model innovation.

Until today, his academic track-record shows more than 80 publications

overall. His research has been published in top-ranked international and Italian

distinguished academic international journals, such as for leading Italian and

international publishing houses.

Pierpaolo Testa is an associate professor in Economics and Business Management

at the Federico II University of Naples. He also holds a Ph.D. In Management

from the same Institution. He carries out research on the themes of strategic

innovation, outsourcing, and branding. The results of his research have been

published on leading management and marketing international journals. He has

also published a research monograph relating business model innovation.