Thursday, February 10, 2011
German Engineering (audi and bmw)
This presentation explores the characteristics of Audi and BMW automobile companies, with an emphasis on environmental protection protocol, within the context of historical trends in German engineering. Included will be a demonstration of the effects of French and British influence, and later, American and global market influences, on the development on German engineering, and their consequent influence on BMW and Audi. Progress and quality are the underlying themes connecting the companies, and a commitment to economic, social and environmental sustainability.
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Tanner, I am interested in whether you would argue that Germany offers a 3rd model of engineering education and practice in Europe, with its emphasis on quality. How is the German conception of quality different/the same as understandings of quality in Britain, for example? In particular, is German quality linked to an emphasis on hand-craftsmanship? I am also wondering, based on your growing expertise in the history of German engineering, if you would argue (contrary to Reynolds) that German models of engineering education and practice had an impact in U.S. development (for example, Johns Hopkins as research university). Finally, and perhaps more specifically to your research topic, I am interested in a comparative analysis of "what it means to be sustainable" in Germany vs. other countries, and how the German emphasis on quality has been interwoven in these new, more economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable practices.
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