An Analysis of the Relationship Between Supply-Chain Management Practices and New Product Development Time: A Case of the North American Confectionery Manufacturers

Abstract

This paper describes the relationship between supply-chain management practices and new product development over time in the North American confectionery manufacturing industry. Using data from a survey of new product development managers, results indicate that buyer involvement and supplier involvement do not have a statistically significant impact on development time. Outsourcing of activities, however, does significantly impact new product development time. Findings of this study have important implications for supply-chain management practices of the food-manufacturing industry.