Can the Problems Faced by the Boeing 787 Dreamliner Be Explained by Boeing’s Innovative Supply Chain Strategy?

Abstract

Our work aims at understanding the role played by the innovative supply chain strategy put in place by Boeing in the numerous problems encountered by its 787 Dreamliner program. We will first describe and explain the major changes that were introduced in the aircraft's supply chain, more specifically the introduction of codevelopment and risk-sharing partnerships. We will then summarize the issues the program faced, and analyze three main factors that are thought to have mainly contributed to these failures: management errors at Boeing, overpromising behaviours from Tier-1 partners, and the introduction of too many radical innovations in a unique program.