The results suggest that the existing agile theories need to be further strengthened in the areas of communication，motivation，the scope of empowerment，people's training and development (T&D) and the flattening of management structure which are the major factors limiting the development of agility in this unique business environment.These findings have made a major contribution to the study of agility by identifying the barriers of agility within the business processes in a UK luxury car-manufacturing context.Based on that，the unique agile BPI framework was further modified to demonstrate the inter-relationships between agility and BPI for further academic studies or industrial practices.

Acknowledgement

Declaration

Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations

Chapter 1 An Introduction

 1.1 Chapter introduction

 1.2 Research Background

1.2.1 Dynamic market and various 'panaceas'

1.2.2 Contrasting Phenomenon in the Motor Industry

1.2.3 Motor Industry and AM

 1.3 Research rationale and necessity

 1.4 Research aim and objectives

 1.5 Research questions, methodology and administration

 1.6 The proposed contributions and limitations

 1.7 The structure of the book

 1.8 Chapter summary

Chapter 2 The Evolution of AM and BPI

 2.1 Chapter Introduction

 2.2 The Evolution of Management Strategy and Technique

2.2.1 Agricultural Era

2.2.2 Industrial Era

2.2.3 Quality Era

2.2.4 Knowledge Era

2.2.5 A Summary

 2.3 Agile Manufacting (AM)

2.3.1 The Concept of AM

2.3.2 The Implementation of AM in Practice

2.3.3 The Four Major Principles of AM

2.3.4 Eight Constructs of AM

2.3.5 A Summary on AM

 2.4 BPI

2.4.1 The Concepts

2.4.2 BPI Approaches

2.4.3 BPI Methodologies

2.4.4 A Summary on BPI

 2.5 The Linkages Between AM and BPI

 2.6 A General Understanding of The Auto Industry

2.6.1 The Development of The World Auto Industry

2.6.2 The Manufacturing Practices in The Auto Industry

2.6.3 The UK Luxury Car Manufacturing Industry: Facts and Features

 2.7 Chapter Summary

Chapter 3 The Theoretical Agile BPI Framework

 3.1 Chapter Introduction

 3.2 The Theoretical Agile BPI Framework

 3.3 Chapter Summary

Chapter 4 The Research Methodology

 4.1 Chapter Introduction

 4.2 The Research Philosophy, Strategy and Methods

4.2.1 Research Philosophy

4.2.2 Research Strategy

4.2.3 Data Collection Methods

4.2.4 Research Analytical Strategy and Techniques

 4.3 The Case Study Design and Administration

4.3.1 The Design

4.3.2 The Preparation

4.3.3 The Data Collection

4.3.4 The Data Maintaining and Manipulation

 4.4 Chapter Summary

Chapter 5 The Case Study and the Results

 5.1 Chapter Introduction

 5.2 An Overview of the Case Study Company

5.2.1 A Brief History

5.2.2 The Vision, Mission and Key Goals

5.2.3 The Main Products and Markets

5.2.4 The Management Structure

5.2.5 The BPI Project

 5.3 The Results and Analysis

5.3.1 The Agile Constructs

5.3.2 The BPI Performance and Its Enablers and Barriers

5.3.3 Some Outstanding Issues

 5.4 A Summary of the Results

Chapter 6 The Discussion

 6.1Chapter Introduction

 6.2 Discussions of the Results

6.2.1 The Agile Constructs

6.2.2 The BPI Practice and Barriers

6.2.3 Some other Outstanding Issues

 6.3 The Barriers of Agility of BPI

 6.4 Theoretical Implications and a Modified Agile BPI Framework

6.4.1 Theoretical Implications

6.4.2 A Modified Agile BPI Theoretical Framework

 6.5 Managerial Implications

 6.6 The Originality and Contributions

 6.7 A Critique on This Research

 6.8 Recommendations for Further Study

 6.9 Chapter Summary

Chapter 7 Conclusion

 7.1 A Review of this Research

 7.2 Achievement of Aims and Objectives

 7.3 The Contributions, Limitations and Recommendations

7.3.1 The Originality and Contributions

7.3.2 The Limitations and Recommendations for Further Study

 7.4 An Overall Conclusion

 References

Appendices

 Appendix A Covering Letter to the UK Car-manufacturers

 Appendix B Research Proposal

 Appendix C Confidentiality/Non Disclosure Agreement

 Appendix D Attended training courses for case study research

 Appendix E Case Study Protocol

 Appendix F A Consent Form

 Appendix G Interview Plan

 Appendix H Interview Questions

 Appendix I A sample of contact summary

 Appendix J Organisational structure & terms

 Appendix K Managerial recommendations