Analysis of the degree of implementation of PM methodologies in Automotive Engineering Industry, with a focus on the Offshoring phenomenon

The aim of this M. Sc. Thesis is to analyze the current degree of implementation of PM methodologies in the Automotive Engineering & Design Industry. This is a very complex and capability-oriented endeavor, nowadays also characterized by the emerging Offshoring trend, which consists in the relocating of one or more company processes or functions to different, and usually lower cost, foreign locations. But although Offshoring has been considered a low-cost strategy, the pursuit for this cost-cutting process may induce companies to ignore the potential hidden costs and risks that may be incurred. After reviewing the literature about these topics, a survey questionnaire has been developed and distributed to industry’s professionals, to evaluate the real degree of PM maturity in this sector, as well as to highlight any inefficiencies related to this framework, which may be overcome through a more structured application of such methodologies.