Organizational characteristics in concurrent engineering: Evidence from Brazilian small and medium enterprises in the medical device industry

Abstract

The success of a new product is more probable in a concurrent engineering context for product development. Concurrent engineering creates a dynamic environment based on four interconnected dimensions: the organization of managers and employees involved in product development; their means of communicating; their unwavering focus on the requirements of all clients within the product life cycle, from concept through disposal; and the integration of the development process. This article analyzes impacts of some organizational practices of these dimensions in product success in Brazilian small and medium enterprises from the medical device industry. The data were collected from a survey in a sample of Brazilian small and medium enterprises and from four case studies. The results highlight the importance for these small and medium enterprises of practices such as cross-functional integration, the role of top management in projects, and the social capital of the project leader. The results will assist companies in adopting an evidence-based approach for improving their new product success.