Product Development Activities Research Articles

Accounting prototypes supporting product development: integrating different actors’ viewpoints

This article introduces accounting prototypes in supporting managers in product development (PD), and inquires how accounting prototypes can support managers in PD activities. Accounting prototypes are jointly and iteratively created, preliminary tools, e.g., spreadsheets or information systems under development. Besides serving as control mechanisms, accounting prototypes also provide support for managers by integrating knowledge relevant to PD managers taking part in projects from different actors’ viewpoints. However, previous literature offers insufficient understanding of how accounting prototypes could help PD managers. The paper is based on an interventionist case study of a machinery manufacturer’s PD management. The focus of the case study was on the design and early use of accounting prototypes that would, right after PD execution, support production ramp-up, which was previously not much supported by accounting information. The paper contributes to the literature by showing an empirical example of supporting PD with accounting prototypes, and unveils the mechanisms through which the viewpoints of different business functions may be iteratively integrated in a calculation, thus enabling a more comprehensive view on the business impacts of a PD project. However, it was found out that the process of establishing and enhancing knowledge integration in the PD context is a longitudinal and challenging task also with the help of accounting prototypes.

Characteristics of new product development activities in SMEs: an empirical analysis of the Korean IT sector

Recognising the importance of new product development (NPD) process in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to improve NPD quality, this research aims to analyse the characteristics of R&D activities in SMEs. We first defined 21 NPD activities for SMEs and collected data about them from 250 Korean SMEs in the IT industry. Then we identified the activities required by SMEs considering their actual use and recognised importance, classified them according to the patterns of use, and finally examined the activities significantly related to NPD performance. The research findings are expected to provide a useful basis for improving NPD process in SMEs.

Enabling innovation and creativity in market-oriented firms

Purpose– The relationship between market orientation and innovation has been the subject of numerous studies. While some find positive effects, the others argue negative effects of market orientation (or its components). The majority of the critique regards mostly its potential to limit creativity and the technological breakthrough. Concerns over its benefits for commercialization of an innovation are less pronounced. The purpose of this paper is to address the implementation of market orientation in new product development activities and seek to find if they follow different patterns or whether the whole concept is applied equally in successful innovating firms.Design/methodology/approach– The study relies on qualitative methodology. Findings are based on seven case studies. Cases are selected according to theoretical sampling. In order to collect the data the authors employ interviews.Findings– The research findings support the assumption that the general principles of customer and competitor orientation are subject to different manifestations. However, no forms of interfunctional orientation have been identified.Originality/value– The findings of the study can help us to understand how market oriented firms establish a suitable setting for creativity and innovation and enable innovation development.

Effect of RTD Tea Drinks Selection Attributes on the Purchase Satisfaction and Repurchase Intention: Evidence in Korea

The purpose of this study is to identify RTD tea drinks selection attributes affecting purchase satisfaction and repurchase intention of RTD tea drinks, and ultimately to understand RTD tea drink users that can improve the long-term and stable business performance of RTD tea drinks in the beverage market. For this aim, a survey was made for the general public with buying experience of RTD tea drinks in metropolitan area and Cheongju. Empirical analysis results are as follows: Among RTD tea drinks selection attributes, sensory factors, health-related other factors and images factors had a significant effect on purchase satisfaction, which in turn had a significant effect on repurchase intention. Therefore, to ensure repurchase of RTD tea drinks in the beverage market, it would be desirable to perform product development, manufacturing, and marketing activities focused on sensory factors, health-related other factors and images factors.Keywords: Purchase Satisfaction, Repurchase Intention, RTD (Ready to Drinks), Selection Attribute, Teas Drinks

Task Decomposition and Grouping for Customer Collaboration in Product Development

AbstractDecomposing product development project into various tasks and grouping them are important activities in product development. Many scholars devoted their efforts to solving this problem and proposed some useful methods. However, the research work of task decomposition and grouping for customer collaboration in product development is still lacking. Therefore, this study first decomposes product development tasks and analyzes its executability. Then, by using an integrated numerical design structure matrix and adaptive genetic algorithm (AGA) approach, tasks are divided into different groups, tasks in the same group have high correlation degree, and tasks in the different groups have low correlation degree. To illustrate the process of task decomposition and grouping methods proposed in this paper, a mobile phone structural development case is applied. Moreover, standard generic algorithm (SGA) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) are used to compare with AGA to verify the effectiveness of AGA.

WORLDDEM – A NOVEL GLOBAL FOUNDATION LAYER

Abstract. Airbus Defence and Space’s WorldDEM™ provides a global Digital Elevation Model of unprecedented quality, accuracy, and coverage. The product will feature a vertical accuracy of 2m (relative) and better than 6m (absolute) in a 12m x 12m raster. The accuracy will surpass that of any global satellite-based elevation model available. WorldDEM is a game-changing disruptive technology and will define a new standard in global elevation models. The German radar satellites TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X form a high-precision radar interferometer in space and acquire the data basis for the WorldDEM. This mission is performed jointly with the German Aerospace Center (DLR). Airbus DS refines the Digital Surface Model (e.g. editing of acquisition, processing artefacts and water surfaces) or generates a Digital Terrain Model. Three product levels are offered: WorldDEMcore (output of the processing, no editing is applied), WorldDEM™ (guarantees a void-free terrain description and hydrological consistency) and WorldDEM DTM (represents bare Earth elevation). Precise elevation data is the initial foundation of any accurate geospatial product, particularly when the integration of multi-source imagery and data is performed based upon it. Fused data provides for improved reliability, increased confidence and reduced ambiguity. This paper will present the current status of product development activities including methodologies and tool to generate these, like terrain and water bodies editing and DTM generation. In addition, the studies on verification & validation of the WorldDEM products will be presented.

Internationalisation and outsourcing of operations and product development in the fashion industry

This paper investigates the choices in terms of internationalisation and outsourcing of operations and product development activities, as well as collaboration practices used within and across organisations, in different segments of the European fashion industry. Based on multiple, in-depth case studies from Italy, Germany and the UK, the paper shows that fashion companies adopt different configurations of operations and product development, i.e. integrated, collaborative and virtual, ranging from local-integrated models to global-full outsourcing of operations and product development activities. For each configuration, different collaboration practices are in use. Product line positioning and quality, firm size, sales volumes and technical complexity of the products are the key drivers determining the configuration choices and the adoption of certain collaboration practices.

Spatial Aspects of Interfirm Collaboration: An Exploration of Firm-Level Knowledge Dynamics

Vissers G. and Dankbaar B. Spatial aspects of interfirm collaboration: an exploration of firm-level knowledge dynamics, Regional Studies. The days of vertical integration are over. Product development, manufacturing and other activities once done by single firms are now fields of collaboration. This raises questions about the spatial aspects of interfirm collaboration. Firms have partners in their direct environment, at a distance or in between, which means that traditional views on regional economic development no longer apply. It also means that a local–global dichotomy does not adequately describe today's economic landscape. This paper distinguishes four spatial scales – local, regional, national and international – and explores the distribution of interfirm collaboration across them, while taking project development over time into account.

Reciprocity between buyer cost sharing and supplier technology sharing

Despite the increasing importance of integrating suppliers into buyer product development activities, the majority of the research on supplier integration focuses on total cost reduction and benefits to the buyer rather than cost sharing between a buyer and its suppliers. Total cost reduction does not necessarily imply buyers share cost savings with suppliers, especially when buyers have a power advantage over suppliers. Also, little empirical evidence exists on what impact buyer cost-sharing has on supplier technology innovations. This paper examines the reciprocal relationships between buyer cost sharing and supplier willingness to share and invest in new technology using two-year of data collected from Tier-1 suppliers in the North American automotive industry. Initial buyer cost sharing was found to stimulate supplier sharing one year later and does so more effectively than supplier involvement in the buyer׳s product development activities. Moreover, supplier sharing was found to be reciprocated by the buyers. Furthermore, Japanese OEMs in the North American automotive industry reciprocate supplier sharing with higher levels of cost sharing than do domestic OEMs. The research substantiates buyer cost sharing as an important strategy to generate competitive advantage in managing supplier relations.

Gestão da Cadeia de Valor da Inovação em ambientes de baixa intensidade tecnológica

Neste trabalho propõe-se contribuir para a discussão do tema gestão da inovação em empresas low-tech. A perspectiva da Cadeia de Valor da Inovação aqui adotada, possibilita uma visão ampla da gestão da inovação, não restrita à abordagem tradicional focada no processo de desenvolvimento de produto ou em atividades intensivas em P&D. Através da metodologia de múltiplos casos, buscou-se verificar como essas empresas gerenciam e organizam suas cadeias de inovação e a análise de uma possível convergência com o “modo típico low-tech de inovar” preconizado pela literatura. Os resultados encontrados não sinalizam para a existência de um modo típico de inovar de empresas low-tech vis-à-vis empresashigh-tech. De acordo com a análise dos casos, evidências empíricas apontam que embora essas empresas tenham estratégias, objetivos, recursos e demandas diferenciadas, contrariando a literatura e o senso comum, foi constatado que essas elas organizam e gerenciam suas cadeias de inovação de forma muito semelhante, o que não caracterizaria um modo típico low-techde inovar.

Product Life‐Cycle Management and Distributor Contribution to New Product Development

After the initial launch of a new product, distributors are frequently among the first to learn about product‐related problems through the information they get about how it is perceived and used by customers, and how it might be improved or adapted for broader market coverage. For producers, such information, which has the potential to impact new product development (NPD) activities during the product life‐cycle management (PLM) phase that follows launch, can be decisive for ensuring the continued viability of the product in the medium to longer term. The goal of this article is to better understand how distributors contribute to producer PLM activities by engaging in product‐related information processing. A typology of four distinct scenarios is developed by integrating three conceptual themes: organizational information processing, dynamic capabilities, and task complexity. Each scenario results from the interplay of the distributor's level (low/high) of capability—specifically, a combination of information coordination and management of interorganization relations—and of the degree (low/high) of complexity of the product‐related problem. The four scenarios are analyzed and described in terms of NPD‐related information processing. According to the typology, distributors act as “problem informers” (low capability/high complexity), “solution advisors” (low capability/low complexity), “solution implementers” (high capability/low complexity), or “solution managers” (high capability/high complexity). Fourteen in‐depth interviews with distributors and producers in industrial goods provide empirical evidence for the analysis, description, and support of each scenario. The article contributes to NPD by shedding light on the role of distributors in terms of incremental innovation in the context of PLM. Developers of new products can use the typology in planning for distributor involvement in PLM activities; distributors can use it to map out their current and future level of engagement in PLM‐related activities.

Modelling a contradiction-oriented design approach for innovative product design

Without creativity in design, there is no potential for innovation. This article investigates the role of contradictions in enhancing creativity in product design. Based on the inventive principles of the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving, this article presents a novel design method by integrating technical and physical contradiction analysis methods into the conceptual design activities of new product development. Although the importance of innovative design is widely recognised, there is a lack of systematic and effective design-thinking processes that can cover all conceptual design activities. To address this gap, this study presents a clear problem-solving model to aid innovative product design based on the contradiction-oriented concept. A case study is employed to illustrate the proposed method, and the results demonstrate that it can help designers produce more creative outcomes in product design.

Exploring the benefits of using Enterprise 2.0 tools to facilitate collaboration during product development

Enterprise globalisation and technological advancements have created many opportunities and challenges for manufacturing organisations, including inter alia the need to develop flexible work processes during product development activities. The purpose of this paper is to report on an investigative study conducted within a leading Aerospace and Defence Industry (ADI) organisation to highlight the potential benefits offered by Enterprise 2.0 technologies to facilitate employee collaboration during PD activities. Although participants demonstrated a high degree of familiarity with current social media sites and Web 2.0 tools, the research suggests that little use is being made of them within the organisation, with employees still relying heavily on traditional means of communication for project collaboration. Furthermore, this paper discusses the design and development of a groupware prototype which has been validated through a real-world project to verify the benefits on offer to ADI companies when using Web 2.0 technologies.

The Scheme of Product Development Process as a Trigger to Product Success: A Theoretical Framework

Researches on product development since 1970s have discussed many aspects. However, none of them clearly describes the relationship between product development activities and product success, the final goal of a business. This paper presents the development of a theoretical framework of the way product development affects product success. The result of a meta-analysis study prior to this study shows that product development is one of the five variables proven to influence product success (r = 0.32). Based on this result, a theoretical framework is developed through five stages. First, relationship between product development and four other variables is evaluated. Through an evaluation on some established models of product development process and a meta-analysis study, three variables, i.e. product characteristic, technological advanced, and management, could be assumed to be inseparable from and closely related to the product development process (0.57 ≤ r ≤ 0.64), while one other variable, market environment, is externally driven and still separated. Second, product development scheme is defined to cover the three variables mentioned above. A meta-analysis study is conducted and the result shows that product development scheme significantly affects the product success (r = 0.31). The model then is restructured into a model of the relationship between product success and the two remaining variables. Third, five sub-variables of product development process, as the elements of product development scheme, is developed based on a mostly referred model and some cases in Indonesia. Forth, a meta-analysis study on the relationship between product success and the five sub-variables is done (0.30 ≤ r ≤ 0.38). Finally, a theoretical framework to model the relationship of product success and product development scheme is developed, as a part of further study.

Manufacturing strategy in SMEs and its performance implications

Purpose – West European manufacturing has been going through challenging times after the global financial crisis of 2008-2009. Some countries (e.g. Sweden and Germany) have recovered from the crisis, while in others problems and job loss still persist. One of these problem countries is Finland. The purpose of this paper is to examine manufacturing strategy priorities and their performance implications in this country. Design/methodology/approach – During the spring of 2014, a web-based survey was conducted, targeting Finnish manufacturing companies. In this study we focus on small- and medium-sized (SMEs) companies and link survey responses to financial performance data, which is available in audited annual reports. Findings – Research results indicate that SME manufacturers in Finland put less emphasis in new product development, broadness of product line and after sales service, while showing high priority in delivery speed and punctuality. As the manufacturing strategy dimensions are connected to audited financial data, regression analyses reveal that superior quality is at central place for achieving higher revenues and profits. After sales service has a positive impact on revenues and new product development ability is connected to higher profits. Managing quality to meet specifications (minimum quality level), leads only into higher employment. Some evidence is shown in support of flexibility in terms of product changes having negative impact on revenue, while volume flexibility is connected to lower profits. Research limitations/implications – This research is limited to a single country, and is cross-sectional in nature. The primary data were combined with profit and loss statements in order to reduce common method bias. Practical implications – It is evident that SMEs may adapt their manufacturing strategy, with emphasis on superior quality together with properly managed after sales service and new product development activity. However, it is worrying that head count in manufacturing SMEs is not connected to same factors, as are revenue and profit. It is suggested that flexibility in labour contracts and other regulatory support measures are needed to support flexible manufacturing. Originality/value – Advanced economies and their remaining manufacturing companies have been receiving minor levels of interest in research. This is especially the case with SMEs, where this research tries to fill important research gap.

An empirical study of solution search processes in complex problem-solving: the vehicle cross-beam case

A growing number of studies has focused on the activities that underlie the unfolding of knowledge-intensive problem-solving activities in new product development (NPD). However, this research relies extensively on the traditional dichotomy of problem-solving as consisting of analytical and/or directional search processes, located on opposite ends of the solution search continuum. Thus, we lack an understanding of other solution search processes used to overcome complex problems. In this paper, I address this research deficit by drawing upon an illustrative case study of engineers as problem-solvers in their attempts to develop a vehicle cross-beam. I show that problem-solvers iterate between three solution search processes to overcome technical design obstacles, namely, analytical, directional and synthesised search. The iteration between representations of solutions to problems (analytical search), the implementation of such solutions (directional search) and the subsequent evaluation of such solutions (synthesised search) provide problem-solvers with a means of reaching new frames of reference that mirror higher level learning in complex problem-solving.

Reliability of carbon footprint as a decision-making tool for product development - a critical review

Various methods exist for evaluating the environmental consequences of products. With climate change high up on the political and corporate agendas, carbon footprint (CF) calculations are in strong demand. However, there are certain serious shortcomings related to the CF concept which every practitioner and potential user should be aware of. Although building upon a life cycle approach, CF addresses only impacts on climate change that may give a misleading picture of the environmental impacts and shift environmental burdens to other impacted areas, thus leading to incomplete decisions for sustainable development policies. Another very important issue is how the CF results are presented to the customer. All these conceptual and methodological shortcomings demand better understanding of the value of CF results within product development and marketing activities. In addition, understanding of the uncertainties can be crucial for properly interpreting CF results.

Research on Functional Analysis Useful for Utilizing TRIZ

The functional analysis viewpoint is essential in ensuring that the customer has a voice in product design plans. Functional analysis is, therefore, very important in TRIZ, quality function deployment (QFD) and value engineering (VE), all of which are frequently used in design activities. People who are not used to conducting functional analysis may spend a great deal of time identifying a product's necessary functions, and this can have an adverse effect on the speed of product development and improvement activities. In light of this, this paper proposes a new methodology for effectively identifying—or “defining”—necessary functions (hereinafter referred to as “definition of functions”), based on Function and Behavior Representation Language (FBRL), which is a tool for ontology engineering. The paper also proposes a method for utilizing a functional diagram, which is used in functional analysis, in selecting various natural science effects in an Effects database, as well as in selecting features in a contradiction matrix. The latter part of this paper introduces a new method for definition of function and a method for using functional diagrams by examining their application in the field of agricultural machinery.

Application of green collaboration operation on network industry

Traditional information system and managerial mechanism cannot meet the new environment protection regulations; therefore, a new solution must be set up, else it may run the risk of losing the market and the value of product brand.This research focuses on the solutions provided by the network and communication industry, manufacture of the green products, and the establishment of a Webbased green collaboration management system, which incorporates the environment protection requests into the product development and green supply chain activities. There are three goals: (1) For the design of green products, green components and product management are set up for the purpose of de-toxin and ease of disassemble; (2) For the green supply chain, the management of hazardous substances, product recycle and disassemble are set up; (3) For the product recycling management, the recycling information is feedback for the product update and collaboration operation. The result of research can provide information for the integration of workflow and information system currently in use, provide RoHS and WEEE management solutions, and set up green collaboration information system, so that green products, brand leadership, and environment protection endeavor can be assured.

Развитие первичного учета поступления продукции растениеводства

In modern conditions agricultural enterprises activity is affected by the organization of management, which provides economic independence of business entities, their competitiveness and return on production costs. In turn, the effectiveness of management is affected by the efficiency and adequacy of accounting information, which is received by the administrative and management personnel. The term of calculation, due to its versatility, is of a great interest on the part of scholars and practitioners. On the one hand, calculation is represented as a set of techniques of analytical accounting of expenses for production and calculation of the cost of production, on the other hand, it is presented as a component of cost accounting. All this shows, that this term includes various aspects, related to the development and acquisition of information about the production process, its costs and results. This information is undoubtedly important with the development of production activities of agricultural organization. Despite the rather close attention to the issues of cost accounting and calculation of the cost of agricultural production, there is a need to study in detail and further improvement of cost accounting and calculation of the cost of agricultural production in the management system of agricultural organization. The paper deals with the selection of objects for accounting of production, calculation facilities and calculation units in horse breeding. A method of calculating the cost of horse-breeding products was also provided. Simultaneous use of modern information technology will significantly reduce labor costs, compared to manual processing of accounting information