Abstract
This study analyzed the transaction network structure of assembler and supplier companies in battery manufacturing industry in Kansai region by using the network analysis method.
The entire transaction structure of battery manufacturing processes consisting of the first-tier supplier, the second-tier supplier and the third-tier supplier was shown by using the directed graph method. Which is improved version of former studies.
In addition, some special companies whose transactional positions indicated structural advantage in relation with other companies are extracted and analyzed based upon the structural holes theory.
Therefore, it is found that the whole structure of battery industry in Kansai region is not the simple star-like hierarchical relations centered by some core assembler companies, but the set of networks formed around some special companies (key node parts-material suppliers) which can cope with various needs of assemblers by flexible transactions.
