Management Teamwork: Influence of Management vs. the Influence of Tools in Product Development Change

Abstract

In the Product Development Area, the influence of management on driving change has been explored considering the specific aspects and challenges in Product Development. However, the actual management activities in addition to commitment and patience, which lead to successful change are less well explored. In this paper the authors discuss the effects of the application of methods and tools on improving Product Development and the effects that management behaviour and activities has on effecting improvements. On the basis of case studies, they conclude that to drive truly successful change requires striking a balance between bottom-up and the right top-down activities and that management teamwork is an especially effective way of achieveing this balance.