Exploring the Boundaries of Stakeholder Integration in NPD – A Systematic Review

Abstract

In this article we develop a model of stakeholder integration in new product development (NPD) that (i) explains the drivers of the process and (ii) proposes a framework of capabilities that firms need for successful stakeholder integration. The focus lies on external stakeholders that directly influence commercialization, purchase or adoption of products. We conducted a systematic literature review and content-analyzed the selected sample of 103 articles. The study was restricted to the medical device industry to enable the consistent search and categorization of information. In the article we dedicate a section to show how the framework applies to other settings. The drivers of stakeholder integration were classified into push factors (potential benefits for the focal firm) and pull factors (potential benefits for the stakeholders). Three capabilities for stakeholder integration were derived from an analysis of the barriers to and the success factors of stakeholder integration in NPD: stakeholder identification capability, stakeholder interaction capability and stakeholder input integration capability. Theoretical and practical implications follow from the improved understanding of stakeholder integration processes and the uncovering of the capabilities that support firms in this task.