New Product Innovation Research Articles

Adapting the GPT engine for proactive customer insight extraction in product development

Understanding the perceptions of consumers is widely recognized as a critical element in the innovation of new products. Traditional techniques used by companies to collect essential consumer insights have largely remained unchanged. Common practices like interviews and surveys have distinct limitations. Interviews may not always capture the precise needs of consumers due to communication barriers, and surveys tend to encourage incremental changes rather than radical innovations. Service industries face further complexity as they navigate customer feedback on the more intangible aspects of service quality. This study highlights the pioneering use of GPT-3.5 Turbo, a tool known for its exceptional ability to delve into the nuances of conversational context and process data in a chat-centric manner, thereby enhancing the extraction of Voice of the Customer (VoC). Its capability to handle large volumes of data in multiple languages leads to a more thorough and inclusive VoC analysis. The study links these technological advancements with Lean Six Sigma 4.0, suggesting that incorporating GPT-3.5 Turbo could significantly improve the customer-focused strategies in the current industrial landscape. This breakthrough in VoC analysis suggests possibilities for more perceptive, immediate data-driven approaches in customer service, and lays a stronger groundwork for decisions in product evolution and process enhancement. The paper concludes by urging further investigation to confirm these initial results and to explore the ethical aspects of employing such advanced natural language processing technologies.

Michelin-starred restaurant diner return willingness: A case study from Thailand

This study investigates the factors influencing the return willingness (RW) of diners at Michelin-starred restaurants in Thailand. The focus is on understanding how service novelty (SN), new product innovation (NPI), culinary standards (CS), and diner satisfaction (DS) contribute to diners' intentions to return. A quantitative approach was employed using structural equation modeling (SEM) to analyze data collected from a sample of 320 diners. The study examined the direct and total effects of the variables on RW. The analysis revealed that service novelty, new product innovation, culinary standards, and diner satisfaction collectively account for 75% of the variance in return willingness (R² = 0.75). Service novelty, new product innovation, and culinary standards exhibit significant direct effects on return willingness, with total effect (TE) values of 0.87, 0.79, and 0.76, respectively. Diner satisfaction also significantly impacts return willingness, with a TE value of 0.42. All nine proposed hypotheses were supported, confirming the positive influence of SN, NPI, CS, and DS on diners' return willingness. The study underscores the critical role of continuous innovation, high culinary standards, and exceptional diner satisfaction in fostering repeat business. These factors are integral to enhancing customer loyalty at Michelin-starred restaurants in Thailand. The findings offer valuable insights for restaurant managers aiming to boost customer loyalty and sustain long-term success. Emphasizing service innovation, maintaining high culinary standards, and ensuring diner satisfaction can significantly improve diners' return willingness.

PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS OF PEANUT CURD VIA NATURAL FERMENTATION USING GREEN CHILIES (CAPSICUM ANNUM)

Plant-based fermented milk alternatives, derived from seeds, nuts, or milk analogs, are gaining popularity due to sustainability, health consciousness, and dietary preferences. Increasing allergies and lactose intolerance associated with animal-based milk contribute to the shift towards non-dairy alternatives, fueling innovation in new products from nuts, seeds, or beans. Fermented options, such as peanut curd, are particularly favored by those managing lactose intolerance. Peanut milk and its fermented derivative, peanut curd, were prepared using methods including curdling with green chilies, cow curd, and buffalo curd. Titratable acidity analysis revealed variations, with the cow curd-inoculated sample exhibiting higher acidity at 4.52 g/L. pH dynamics during fermentation illustrated a gradual decrease, with the chili-fermented peanut curd showing a pH drop from 6 to 3.5. Colony Forming Unit values increased over fermentation, with cow curd inoculum rising from 7.36×10^6 to 11.52×10^6 CFU/ml. Antibacterial activity varied, with cow curd-inoculated peanut curd displaying superior efficacy, particularly against Shigella, showing a 13mm inhibition zone. Antioxidant activity was notable, with chili-fermented peanut curd showing the highest RSA at 80.7%. Sensory analysis highlighted differences in taste, flavor, and texture, with chili-fermented curd scoring highest in overall acceptance. These findings contribute to understanding the chemical and microbial transformations in peanut curd, showcasing its potential as a functional and diverse plant-based product.

Development of Mexican and Turkish Automotive Industries in Historical Perspective

Purpose: The purpose of our article is to examine the Mexican and Turkish automotive industries in a historical perspective, because a historical analysis will be able to show us why the automotive industries of the country we are considering are not among the world's leading automotive industries. Additionally, the course of historical data over time can also support the analysis. Therotical Reference: For the first time, David (1985) put forward that it is necessary to examine the process of innovation of new products based on new technologies in a historical perspective, and David (2000, 2001) stated that the ergodic steady increase in production in sectors and industries depends on the sector or industry being able to create a unique development path. He stated that it was. He stated that the reason why there is no consistent ergodic production increase in sectors or industries is that it has a path-dependent development structure. According to David, path dependence may have been caused by an event or market formation that occurred in the recent or distant past. Method: It has been revealed that a past event for the Turkish automotive industry caused the formation of a new socio-cultural structure, leading to a path-dependent development in more or less all sectors, but especially in the automotive sector. This path-dependent development structure seems to have caused an unstable production structure in the automotive industry. When we look at the efforts to produce domestic automobiles throughout history, it is understood that there is always a tendency to be hindered or to think that they are being prevented. Results and Conclusions: Although there has not been a historical process similar to that in Turkey in the Mexican automotive industry, the fact that stable and ergodic production increases have been experienced in the industry, especially in the recent period, indicates that the automotive industry, which started as the assembly industry of foreign companies, has entered the process of creating a new path or creating a path with recent developments. We can say. In this process, it can be said that Mexico is a border neighbor with the USA and the investments of the three major automotive industry companies of the USA, which is one of the largest producing countries in the automotive industry, in Mexico, played a major role. Implication of research: In reaching this conclusion, in our study, the automotive industry history of the countries we discussed were examined and the annual production figures in the automotive industry in the last decade were discussed. In examining whether there were developments in the past of the countries that could lead to path dependency, the breaking point where path dependency occurred in Turkey, in the Ottoman period, was clearly identified and it was revealed that the events that took place after this date strengthened the path dependency. Past historical events for Mexico were examined and events that could affect the development of the automotive industry were discussed. Originality of article: Thus, we can say that, on the one hand, we tried to contribute to the literature and developments on the path dependency approach, which says that history is decisive, and on the other hand, a different perspective was brought to the developments in the automotive industry.

Product rolling strategies in competitive scenarios based on differential games

AbstractIn competitive scenarios, we analyze the optimal pricing, launch timing, and influencing factors of new products by establishing three differential game models. The findings indicate that (1) the depreciation rate of old products directly impacts the pricing strategies of advantaged and disadvantaged enterprises. Enterprises with competitive advantages tend to set higher prices for new products when old products depreciate faster, while those with fewer advantages adjust their pricing strategies by initially increasing prices for the latest prices and eventually reducing them. (2) The rate of old‐product depreciation also affects the timing of new‐product launches. Advantaged enterprises tend to delay their product launches when the impact of the new product on the old ones is significant, while disadvantaged enterprises opt for earlier launches under similar circumstances. (3) The technological level of the new product influences the timing of its launch for both advantaged and disadvantaged enterprises. Higher technological levels prompt advantaged enterprises to launch earlier and disadvantaged enterprises tend to follow suit. (4) High levels of innovation in new products by advantaged enterprises prompt earlier launches by disadvantaged enterprises. These results may offer valuable insights for enterprises in formulating effective product rollover strategies.

INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO DESIGN-LED INNOVATION FOR ECO-FRIENDLY CUSTOMER-CENTRIC CLOTHING ENTREPRENEURS

Purpose: This article demonstrates how collaboration in a PAR and R&D research project can be facilitated by a design-led innovation process that juxtaposes design and scientific approaches.
 
 Theoretical Framework: The work was theoretically grounded in an interdisciplinary methodology and customer-centric approaches. Researchers adopted a "principles-driven" strategy as a primary guiding principle.
 
 Design/Method/Approach: This study utilized participatory action research (PAR) as a research methodology, emphasizing the importance of collaborations between stakeholders and the research team. The study methodology encompassed on-site visits, SWOT analysis, focus groups, and questionnaire surveys. The data obtained from all of the previously described instruments was subjected to qualitative analysis using triangulation.
 
 Findings: The study demonstrated that this approach significantly enhanced the innovation of new products and the establishment of brands by local businesses. The remaining fabric key rings of the stakeholders had an impact on the most recent clothing collection. The development of new products involved the integration of identity, traditional knowledge, and creativity with modern technology, utilizing local resources from the community for innovative transformation and business product development. By adhering to experts' recommendations, stakeholders can enhance the value of their products by demonstrating a preference for environmentally conscious, culturally significant, and artistically innovative products to the target market. The introduction of the new clothing product range received positive feedback from business owners and entrepreneurs, with an average rating of 4.71. Additionally, the annual sales value increased by 36.3%. PAR R&D facilitated the improvement of stakeholders.
 
 Research, Practical, and Social Implications: Creating eco-friendly apparel from fabric scraps will contribute to sustainability. Obtaining this level of sustainability requires collaboration across disciplines and design-driven innovation. In addition, this study demonstrates how a dynamic interdisciplinary innovation strategy can be effective for generating new product concepts, obtaining consumer feedback, and fostering collaboration and learning across disciplines. Lastly, this study provides other researchers and the local industry with actionable opportunity areas and design imperatives for their sustainability-based product innovation activities.
 
 Originality/Value: This study is the first to apply theoretical concepts to practical situations in a specific rural area to assist local community entrepreneurs lacking resources for research and development in improving their performance and outcomes, with a focus on creating product concepts that reflect the local cultural identity and incorporate innovative design principles.

Supply Chain as a Service (SCaaS) in Apparel Industry

Supply Chain as a Service (SCaaS) represents an innovative approach for businesses to outsource various aspects of their supply chain, including manufacturing, procurement, warehousing, quality assurance, and logistics. Within the apparel industry, the supply chain encompasses five key categories: design, textile manufacturing, apparel manufacturing, distribution, and end-user purchase. Due to its consumer-centric nature, the apparel supply chain experiences fluctuating demand, posing challenges for effective management. Small apparel businesses often struggle with planning and implementing efficient supply chain strategies, resulting in significant losses, wasted labor, and missed deadlines. This paper proposes the implementation of SCaaS as a tailored solution for apparel units. The primary aim is to offer comprehensive end-to-end management services, ranging from strategic planning to product delivery. By leveraging SCaaS, companies can optimize their time allocation, focusing on customer interactions and the innovation of new products. This approach streamlines operations, enhances efficiency, and mitigates the risks associated with supply chain management, ultimately enabling apparel businesses to better adapt to market dynamics and meet consumer demands effectively.

Entrepreneurial performance and marketing analytics: the role of new product innovation

PurposePrevious studies focus on the direct effects of marketing analytics on entrepreneurial performance, but few explore the underlying mechanisms. Drawing on affordance theory, this study explores pathways through new product innovation (NPI) for the effects of marketing analytics on business performance. NPI is a market-based innovation concept comprising customer- and competitor-driven NPD and incremental innovation.Design/methodology/approachUsing survey data collected from UK-based entrepreneurial firms operating in the IT and telecoms industries, we apply confirmatory factor analysis and a sequential structural equation model to test the mediating role of NPI in the effect of marketing analytics on market performance and financial performance.FindingsThe results show that marketing analytics enhances business performance through competitor-driven but not customer-driven NPD. Although using marketing analytics to generate customer knowledge for existing product innovation may enhance market performance, this positive effect becomes negative when competitor-driven NPD is undertaken to improve existing product innovation.Originality/valueThis study makes significant contributions to the innovation and NPD literature. It delves deeper into the existing view on the positive contributions of customer engagement to business value creation, revealing the significance of competitor knowledge to enhance business performance through marketing analytics, particularly in the context of IT and telecoms entrepreneurial firms.

Utilization of liquid epoxidized natural rubber as prepolymer and crosslinker in development of UV-curable palm oil-based alkyd coating

Innovation of new products from renewable resources are important for sustainable development. In this work, novel rubber-integrated palm oil-based alkyd resins were prepared using palm oil, glycerol, diacids, and liquid epoxidized natural rubber (LENR50). The synthesis started with alcoholysis of glycerol by palm oil to produce predominant mixture of monoglycerides, followed by polycondensation with diacids to form alkyd chain. In addition to glycerol, LENR50 was introduced as bio-based polyol for the alkyd synthesis. The rubber prepolymer was chemically integrated into the alkyd chain via the reaction between its epoxide or hydroxyl groups with COOH of diacids during polycondensation. Resultant alkyds were mixed with reactive diluent (styrene), crosslinker (trimethylolpropane triacrylate) and photoinitiators (benzophenone and 1-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone), and the mixtures were cured under UV irradiation. Introduction of LENR50 into the coating formulation has reduced the curing time, as well as improved some of the film properties of the coatings. Some of the LENR50-based coatings required as short as 3 mins of UV irradiation to form dry-hard films, while the control samples required much longer time. There was also notable increase in the gel content of the LENR-based alkyd coating, suggesting that the polyfunctionality of LENR50 could have increased the extent of crosslinking in the cured film. Other improvement recorded includes pencil hardness, film adhesion, solvent resistance, water resistance, and corrosion resistance. Thermal stability of the alkyd coatings is also reasonably good for general purpose coating applications. The findings from this study suggest that LENR50 could serve as an alternative polyol in synthesis of bio-based polyester binder for surface coating.

Sugary solutions

Sugary solutions

Interplay between Technological Innovation and Employee Skills in Accelerating Small Medium Enterprise Growth

Past statistics have shown that among five SMEs start-ups, three of them dissolve before a lifespan of five years. There are numerous factors that affect SMEs growth among them technology and employee skills. It would be important to consider the influence of technology and employee skills on the growth of SMEs. This study investigating the inter play between technological innovation and employee skills in accelerating the Small Medium Enterprise (SMEs) growth. A descriptive research design was applied to implement the study targeting a total population of 174 firms. This study employed stratified random sampling technique to categorize the firms in to three different sections of interior design firms, interior decoration firms and architectural firms as they show different heterogeneous characteristics. A sample of 54 respondents was selected from the population using simple random sampling. Questionnaires were the main primary data collection instruments. A pilot study was used to confirm content validity of the data gathering instruments while the Cronbach’s coefficient alpha was used to establish reliability. Quantitative data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics and expressed as percentages and frequencies. Chi square test was conducted to test the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. Besides, regression analysis was done to determine the extent to which the independent variables influenced SMEs growth. Inferential statistics was tested at 95% confidence level and p-value ≤ 0.05. The chi square results indicated that employee skills were significantly associated with SMEs sales (χ2=9.000, p=0.03), profits (χ2=20.700, p=0.002) but not net assets (χ2=3.706, p=0.282) and number of employees (χ2=2.753, p=0.427). Further, technological innovation was significantly associated with SMEs sales (χ2= 8.322, p=0.040), profits (χ2=9.584, p=0.022) net assets (χ2=13.846, p=0.004) but not the number of employees (χ2=0.800, p=0.722). Further, the regression analysis indicated that a unit rise in technological innovation would result in 0.756 whereas a unit increase in employee skills would cause 0.352 unit increase in growth of SMEs. The study concluded that technological innovation and employee skills are associated with growth of Interior Design SMEs in Nairobi County. This study recommends that SMEs should enhance their technology to facilitate innovation of new products hence spur their growth. Likewise, SMEs should enhance their employees’ skills to expand their growth.

Cross-Border Innovation: Assessing Concepts, Contexts, and Content

This study provides an outlook of the evolution of cross-border innovation literature. A sample of 226 articles addressing cross-border innovation and knowledge transfer published between 1997 and 2022 was screened using bibliometric methods. Data are split over three time slices and a thematic analysis is conducted, suggesting three main themes in literature: research-and-development, mostly linked with mergers and acquisitions and competitiveness, knowledge creation and transfer linked with innovations systems and performance, and innovation linked with networks, firms’ capabilities, and absorptive capacity. A co-citation analysis was also conducted which showed that the background literature of the research stream is based on the internationalization process, knowledge transfer and competitiveness, research-and-development, business performance and innovation systems. Results further introduce a geographic boundary to the research in knowledge and innovation, particularly frontier and regional innovation systems. Based on the results, future research lines are suggested, including the role of organizational learning and knowledge creation, towards the innovation of new products and services of companies seeking internationalization, and how disruptive events in worldwide supply chains affect cross-border innovation.

Effects of COVID-19 on sensory and cognitive perception of mild and severe diagnosed and recovered patients versus healthy consumers.

Investigating the effects of COVID-19 on sensory and cognitive perception can be useful for industry and researchers in the sensory field who wish to understand the effects of the disease in order to generate new protocols for the selection and training of people, as well as the possible development and innovation of new products focused on perception of consumers recovered from COVID-19.

COFFEE VALUE SYMBIOSIS TOWARD A MOUNTAIN GEOGRAPHICAL COMMUNITY-BASED TOURISM IN THAILAND

Coffee was used as a symbiosis key value attracting tourists in community-based tourism at Pang Khon village, Chiang Rai, Thailand. The mixed method was applied. The data collected by administering in-depth interview, focus group, participatory rural appraisal, and participatory observation amongst the public, private and community for qualitative data collection. Whereas, the questionnaires were employed for quantitative data collection. The structural equation modelling was applied to compliment and foster the qualitative data. The sample group composes of public entity including local government, Tourism Authority of Thailand Chiang Rai officers, officers from ministry of tourism and sport of Thailand [MOT’s officers], Pang Khon villagers, restaurant and private travel agencies, hoteliers, local transport providers, and tourists. The economic, education, emotion, research, and experience values were discovered. To assess coffee symbiosis value to community-based tourism. The mixed method research was employed by using in-depth interview, focus group, participatory rural appraisal, participatory for qualitative approach. The quantitative approach was conducted by using structural equation modelling (SEM). The results found coffee create economic, education, emotion, research, and experience values to community-based tourism. The author would recommend the policy makers highlighting on innovation of new products and services. The promotion should emphasize on the source of coffee plantation in community. That is taste of fresh coffee from its origin. However, the fair distribution of revenue to local residents shall be well-planned for dynamic cooperation and improvement of community economic.

Chemical and Sensory Characteristics of Fruit Juice and Fruit Fermented Beverages and Their Consumer Acceptance

Recent social, economic, and technological evolutions have impacted consumption habits. The new consumer is more rational, more connected and demanding with products, more concerned with the management of the family budget, with the health, origin, and sustainability of food. The food industry over the last few years has shown remarkable technological and scientific evolution, with an impact on the development and innovation of new products using non-thermal processing. Non-thermal processing technologies involve methods by which fruit juices receive microbiological inactivation and enzymatic denaturation with or without the direct application of low heat, thereby lessening the adverse effects on the nutritional, bioactive, and flavor compounds of the treated fruit juices, extending their shelf-life. The recognition of the nutritional and protective values of fruit juices and fermented fruit beverages is evident and is attributed to the presence of different bioactive compounds, protecting against chronic and metabolic diseases. Fermentation maintains the fruit's safety, nutrition, and shelf life and the development of new products. This review aims to summarize the chemical and sensory characteristics of fruit juices and fermented fruit drinks, the fermentation process, its benefits, and its effects.

The more engagement, the better? The influence of supplier engagement on new product design in the social media context

Supplier engagement (SE) is generally regarded as an essential approach for firms seeking new product innovation. However, in a social media context, is it true that the more supplier engagement there is, the better the new product design will be? This study explores the nonlinear effects of supplier engagement on new product innovation (NPI) performance in a social media context and further identifies the mechanisms through which knowledge sharing occurs and through which knowledge orchestration capability (KOC) is moderated. The results show the following. First, there is an inverted U-shaped relationship between supplier engagement and NPI performance. Second, SE positively impacts NPI performance, and knowledge sharing has an inverted U-shaped relationship with NPI performance. Further, when firms have a high-level rather than a low-level KOC, knowledge sharing has a significant mediating role. Finally, KOC positively moderates the inverted U-shaped relationship between knowledge sharing and NPI performance, and the inflection point of the inverted U-shaped curve is shifted upward when KOC is high.

The Impact of Organizational Learning on Innovation of New Products in Mobilis Corporation - A Case Study of Agencies in Jijel State

The study aimed to know the impact that organizational learning has on the innovation of new products in the Mobilis Corporation and the agencies of Jijel state, through its three dimensions: the strategic dimension, the organizational dimension and the cultural dimension. The questionnaire was relied on as a tool for collecting the necessary data on the study variables. The study was conducted by Mobilis agencies. For the Wilayat of Jijel (Jijel, Al-Tahir and Al-Millia). The results of the study concluded that there is a strong positive impact of organizational learning in creating new products due to the effect of the organizational dimension in creating new products, and the absence of an impact on both the strategic and cultural dimensions, The study presented a set of recommendations, the most important of which is the need to take advantage of the dimensions of organizational learning, support innovation in the product, and make continuous improvements in the product and its complementary services.

Slow Fashion Trends: Are Consumers Willing to Change Their Shopping Behavior to Become More Sustainable?

The fashion industry, despite generating great benefits in terms of trade, employment and income worldwide, is considered one of the most polluting industries due to the linearity of its production process with a high consumption of energy and raw materials as well as of waste generation. Furthermore, the short life cycles of its products, where the consumer seeks more to be fashionable than the products’ durability, contribute to this. However, this paradigm is changing due to society’s increased concern for the environment and a healthier way of life, promoting the emergence of a new concept called slow fashion, which seeks to improve the sustainability of fashion items from an environmental and ethical point of view. In this way, many companies are implementing circular economy measures in their production processes and innovating more circular products. The purpose of this work was to determine the consumer orientation toward slow fashion consumption, their perceived value and if they are willing to accept changes in their own behavior. The results confirm this new consumer orientation toward slow fashion consumption, which entails an important business transformation, fostering the innovation of new products and manufacturing systems characterized by a circular approach.

Regulatory review of new product innovation: Conceptual clarity and future research directions

Regulatory review of new product innovation (NPI) has come to dominate contemporary discourse on innovation management. However, there continue to be a lack of clarity on how normative and scientific logics of evaluation combine to influence the regulatory review process. To bring some much-needed clarity, we draw on the diverse literature streams on regulatory reviews and NPI to unpack how the regulatory review process may play out in practice. We then explicate four varieties of regulatory review concerns that frequently affect regulatory decisions: speed and delays, safety and efficacy, cost and uncertainty, and routines. We go further to present eight propositions regarding these concerns to extend our understanding on how they may constitutively influence regulators decisions in articulating the value of NPIs and their potential to shaping innovation trajectories. We conclude by outlining and highlighting rich opportunities for future research.

Managing design for innovative new products and services

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to determine how design should be managed to develop truly innovative products and services. Three management levers were examined: design leadership, design inclusion and design thinking.Design/methodology/approachThe study was carried out as a survey of innovation managers in the USA. The survey measures were developed from the design and innovation literature. Over 300 managers participated in the survey, and their responses were analyzed by using multiple regressions and other statistical tools.FindingsAll three aspects of design that were studied – leadership, team inclusion and thinking – were found to significantly and positively impact new product and service innovativeness. Of these factors, the most important contributor to innovativeness was design thinking, with having more than three times the impact of the other two. Also, firms that are large, publicly held and technology-intensive are on average more innovative.Practical implicationsTo increase the innovativeness – or novelty, interest in and influential – of new products and services, managers should appoint designers as leaders on innovation project, include designers in development teams and above all integrate the design thinking process in organizations.Originality/valueThis study determines that design leadership, inclusion and thinking increases the innovativeness of new products and services.