Extending Fujimoto's Product Architecture Matrix to Complex Systems: Comparative Analysis of High-Speed Rail Services in Poland, Japan and China

This conceptual paper employs Takahiro Fujimoto's product architecture matrix for the purpose of comparative analysis of high-speed rail services in Poland, Japan and China. Our preliminary findings, based on an exploratory review of secondary sources, suggest significant differences in each of studies countries. We discuss the reasons behind these differences as well as their organizational and managerial implications. We conclude that Fujimoto's framework and product architecture theory has high explanatory potential even in when applied to complex systems such as high-speed rail service.